This position serves as the Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis technician) at the Orlando VA Medical Center. The Hemodialysis Technician provides safe patient care to a group of patients with the diagnosis of ESRD under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse. Performs more complex treatments and procedures according to Medical Center guidelines.

Duties

Prepare a dialysis machine for a bedside treatment, set up and tear down machines. Perform all pre­treatment checks and disinfection of all dialysis machines including acid clean, bleach, heat, and Minncare. Operates and monitors commonly used hemodialysis equipment and accessories. Instructs, positions and prepares patients for hemodialysis. Varies procedures to adjust for medical condition. Initiates and terminates hemodialysis treatments following basic procedures. Monitors patients throughout treatment and makes necessary adjustments according to the patient's medical condition, previous experience, and accepted practices in the chronic setting under the supervision of the RN. Perform and document cleaning of machines, equipment, and other items within the dialysis unit. Assemble lab collection tubes/containers, correctly, and obtains lab specimens. Perform and document Central water checks and clean the water room, and other areas as assigned. Collects and records vital signs using blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, scales and thermometers. Records patients' condition and changes (high or low blood pressure, excess fluid, etc.) and determines proper treatment procedure, technique, and machine adjustments, notifying dialysis nurse of changes. Assemble all necessary supplies and equipment at chair side. Inspect and evaluates circulatory access site. Cleans and dresses site using aseptic techniques. Connect patient to the dialyzer and operates equipment to initiate extracorporeal circulation and performance dialysis. Prepares and dismantles extracorporeal blood circuits and the dialysis machine to create a sterile, air-free blood circuit using a standard aseptic procedure. Recognize medical complications or altered response to treatment and notifies RN or Provider. Respond to equipment alarms, adjusts alarm limits, and corrects the cause of malfunction which triggered the alarm. If alarm does not clear, takes machine out of service, creates a work order, and notifies Biomedical personnel. Observe precautions for personal safety, posted rules, signs, written or oral safety instructions, and the use of protective clothing. Work Schedule: M-F 0500-1530; 0600-1630, 0800-1830 (flexible to meet the needs of the service) Functional Statement #: 81508F Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: a. Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b. Education. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels. See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions. c. Licensure or Certification. Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations". May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) GS-6 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities (KSA), and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Skill in setting up, operating, and performing calibrations as required on a variety of dialysis equipment. 2. Skill in performing and interpreting test results (dialysate chemistries, water treatment testing for contaminates, etc.) including the ability to analyze deviations from the expected norm and responding appropriately. 3. Knowledge of American Association of Medical Instrumentation (AMMI) standards and unit policies as they relate to water treatment. 4. Knowledge of physiological and psychological changes and conditions related to end stage renal disease. 5. Ability to calculate dialysis baths according to the physician's orders per patient by mixing critical concentrates, i.e., calcium, potassium, and bicarbonate.. 6. Knowledge of Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Preferred Experience: Dialysis technician experience preferred; Bonent Certification preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The position being recruited for is a GS-6. Physical Requirements: See VA directive and handbook 5019

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Orlando VA Medical Center 13800 Veterans Way Orlando, FL 32827 US
• Name: Nikki Merkes
• Phone: 727-398-6661 X64156
• Email: [email protected]