The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Part-Time Medical Instrument Technician. The Medical Instrument Technician (Outpatient Hemodialysis) position is located in the Renal Hemodialysis Section, within Perioperative Nursing Service; at the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System.
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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Licensure or Certification: Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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). Hemodialysis Technicians operate and monitor kidney dialysis instruments to provide dialysis treatment to patients with kidney failure or to maintain patients with irreversible kidney disorders. The agencies that offer national certification are Nephrology Certification Commission (NNCC), Board of Nephrology Examiners, Inc, Nursing and Technology (BONET), National Nephrology certification Organization (NNCO), and the International Certification Commission for Clinical Engineering and Biomedical Technology (ICC) in conjunction with the United States Certification. Grade Determinations: GS-08 Medical Instrument Technician Hemodialysis. Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-07) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. This would be experience which provided knowledge of the more complex procedures, the pharmacology related to this occupation, and knowledge of related acute disorders and diseases and their effects on organs and methods of treatment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs. Certification: No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications. Preferred Experience: High School Diploma or equivalent 2 years of Hemodialysis experience Dialysis technician certification through the State of Ohio board of Nursing (OCDT) or other state Physical Standards Must be able to lift and transport heavy equipment and supplies. Certification Must have basic life support (BLS) certification prior to performing patient care duties. Certification as Hemodialysis Technician under a State certification program or a national certification program is required. The agencies that offer certification are the Nephrology Certification Commission (NNCC), Board of Nephrology Examiners, Inc., Nursing and Technology (BONENT), National Nephrology Certification Organization (NNCO), and the International & Certification Commission for Clinical Engineering and Biomedical -Technology (ICC) in conjunction with the United States Certification Commission (USCC). Experience 5 years of chronic dialysis experience in dialysis including: experience maintaining dialysis machines and reverse osmosis systems. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of the hemodialysis process, and equipment needed for home/self-care including knowledge of common machine problems and repairs to such equipment. Knowledge of the equipment and procedures for peritoneal dialysis Ability to assist the physician with percutaneous renal biopsies and peritoneal catheter insertion. Ability to provide instruction to dialysis patients in home/self-care and in the maintenance of the equipment. Ability to provide instruction for physicians, nurses, and other personnel in dialysis procedures, equipment operation and maintenance, etc. Please make your resume fully demonstrates the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Assignment: GS-08: This represents the full performance level. At this level the hemodialysis technician serves as a member of a dialysis team performing dialysis on acutely ill patients including those within an intensive care setting. Assignments involve performing both peritoneal and hemodialysis procedures. The dialysis technician may participate in percutaneous renal biopsies, watching the patient during the procedure and properly processing the specimen. Assists the physician in peritoneal catheter insertions and observes the patient for vital signs and provides post operative care. Provides instruction and monitors patients for home dialysis. Performs training of physicians, nurses, and technicians on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis techniques. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II Appendix G27The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the GS-08. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity, potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. transferring patients and objects may be required, mechanical lifts are provided. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Independently provides hemodialysis treatment to patients with renal failure. Initiates and terminates dialysis treatments following standard procedures. Monitors patients throughout treatment and makes necessary adjustments without consultation per the patient's medical condition, previous experience, and accepted practices. Monitors dialysis treatment parameters, e.g. vital signs, weight loss. Collects and records vital signs using blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, scales, and thermometers. Records patients' condition and changes (blood pressure, excess fluid, etc.) and determines proper treatment procedure, technique, and machine adjustments. Inspects and evaluates circulatory access site. Cleans and dresses circulatory site using sterile technique. Monitors and tests all components of the water treatment system. This includes the temperature blending valve, the back-flow prevention device, the booster pump, the acid feed pump (if applicable), depth filtration devices, the water softener, the carbon tanks, the RO device, and the de-ionization (DI) system. Sets-up, uses, reprocesses, and maintains all dialysis center equipment designed by the manufacturer to be reused for multiple patients. Completes all steps and activities for set-ups, reprocessing, and maintenance in accordance with steps outlined in the equipment Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Other duties as assigned. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 5:00am 5:30pm / 5:00am - 1:30pm Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Functional Statement #: 92255A Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required