The Hemodialysis MIT operates and monitors kidney dialysis instruments to provide dialysis treatment to patients with kidney failure or to maintain patients with irreversible kidney disorders. VA Dialysis facilities are required to align with the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) conditions for coverage established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
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. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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. Licensure or Certification-Documentation Submitted. 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". Grandfathering Provision: 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). GRADE REQUIREMENTS GS-05 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities KSAs: Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. Medical Instrument Technicians (Hemodialysis), GS-06: Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade (GS-05) level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. NOTE: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities KSAs: Ability to produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display, and colorflow Doppler imaging. Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases. Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves, etc. Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic, Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography, (invasive) stress echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography. Ability to adapt transducer positioning, instrument controls, and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings. Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification. Medical Instrument Technicians (Hemodialysis), GS-07: Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided knowledge the equipment, standard procedures, and typical machine problems and/or patient reactions to treatment. NOTE: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities KSAs: Ability to assist the physician in more complex procedures such as central venous catheter insertion. Ability to assist in training patients in home/self-care by teaching components of machine operation including water treatment and monitoring patients for compliance. Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians. Ability to analyze deviations from the expected, determine whether the deviations are machine or patient related, and respond according to the findings. 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. Medical Instrument Technicians (Hemodialysis), GS-08: Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions 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. NOTE: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities KSAs: 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. 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: BONENT Hemodialysis Technologist Certification preferred Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification is desirable Minimum of two years of clinical Hemodialysis experience Demonstrate ability in previous assignments to make critical decisions in stressful environments Demonstrate dependability for duty and flexibility in work assignments and hours in previous assignments 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-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6 - GS-8. Physical Requirements. The incumbent must be able to stand for up to 8-10 hours while providing patient care. The incumbent must be able to lift up to 20 pounds of equipment, supplies and records. Additionally, the incumbent will be required to transport patients on stretchers, beds and wheelchairs. There is the potential for extended periods of sitting at computer terminals. The incumbent is expected to use proper preventive ergonomic techniques to perform duties.
Duties may include but are not limited to: Able to prepare a dialysis machine for a bedside treatment, set up and tear down machines. Perform all pre-treatment checks and disinfection of all dialysis machines including acid, heat, and chemical disinfecting. Operates and monitors commonly used hemodialysis equipment and accessories, to include peritoneal dialysis. Instructs, positions and prepares patients for hemodialysis. Varies procedures to adjust for medical condition. Initiates and terminates hemodialysis treatments following basic procedures, to include peritoneal dialysis at the bedside. Monitors patients throughout dialysis 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. Able to perform and document cleaning of machines, equipment, and other items within the dialysis unit. Able to assemble lab collection tubes/containers, correctly, and obtains lab specimens. Able to perform and document Central water checks and clean the water room, and other areas as assigned. Able to use the phoenix meter. Monitors dialysis machine treatment parameters. 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. Assembles all necessary supplies and equipment at chair side. Inspects and evaluates circulatory access site. Cleans and dresses site using aseptic techniques. Connects 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. Operates and monitors dialysis machinery in performance of dialysis procedures using prescribed standard procedures and the machine monitoring system. Establishes amount of fluid to be removed and sets the machine pressure according to the coefficient of ultrafiltration of the dialyzer. Adjusts blood flow rates. Tests dialysate conductivity and pH. Documents and charts accurately on flow sheets and medical records the results of dialysis treatments. Recognizes medical complications or altered response to treatment and notifies RN or Provider. Assist in the cannulation of hemodialysis AVFs/AVGs. Administer saline into the dialysis line as needed due to hypotension and cramping under the direction of an RN. Observes dialysate delivery unit for correct functioning during dialysis and makes adjustments when necessary. Responds 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. Observes for and/or tests for blood leaks. Has a thorough knowledge of the Joint Commission and other regulatory standards such as CMS, CDC, MMI and OSHA as they apply to the dialysis setting. Recognizes when emergency measures are necessary and institutes life saving measures until medical assistance is secured. Initiates or assists in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other emergency situations. Assists patients with non-nursing requests to include but not limited to: positioning for comfort and toileting needs. Completes all daily assignment sheets to include but not limited to: water room sheets, daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly/bi-annually and annual check off sheets as assigned. Responsible for the routine maintenance, troubleshooting and disinfection of equipment, water quality monitoring, and restocking of dialysis supplies. Transports equipment to other areas in hospital where needed for treatment of acutely ill patients. Under general supervision by the Dialysis RN, performs daily checks in the process of monitoring equipment in the dialysis unit. Observes clean technique with the dialysis procedure and follows the principles of universal precautions and infection control. Work Schedule: Variable: 0500-1530, 0600-1630, 0800-1830 flexible to meet needs of the organization. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 82508F, 82509F, 82510F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized