This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. BASIC REQUIREMENTS Basic Requirements: Citizenship: US Citizens Experience and 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: 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". For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. Physical Requirements: Work is active and requires walking, bending, twisting, and carrying and stocking supplies. English Language Proficiency: Ability to communicate in spoken and written English with patients and other health care personnel with sufficient fluency to satisfactorily carry out assigned responsibilities, in accordance with Public Law 95-201. Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) GS-7 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to assist the physician in more complex procedures such as central venous catheter insertion.2. Ability to assist in training patients in home/self-care by teaching components of machine operation including water treatment and monitoring patients for compliance.3. Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians.4. 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. .Assignment. At this level in addition to providing hemodialysis for chronic patients, hemodialysis technicians assist the physician during central venous catheter insertion, assist in the training of patients for home dialysis/self-care, and act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded hemodialysis technicians. At this level, the technician accepts responsibility and accountability for his/her own actions. GS-8 (full performance level) 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of the hemodialysis process and equipment needed for home/self care including knowledge of common machine problems and repairs to such equipment. 2. Knowledge of the equipment and procedures for peritoneal dialysis. 3. Ability to assist the physician with percutaneous renal biopsies and peritoneal catheter insertion. 4. Ability to provide instruction to dialysis patients in home/self care and in the maintenance of the equipment. 5. 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. Assignment. 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 .References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 MARCH 17, 2006 PART II APPENDIX G27 ["Hemodialysis Technicians are members of the dialysis nursing team and are under the general supervision of the Hemodialysis Nurse Manager and the Nursing Service and are located in the Hemodialysis Unit. The work they perform affects the physical and emotional well-being of patients. Efficient and effective performance in the position allows the Medical Center to provide quality Hemodialysis care to a growing number of patients. Medical Instrument Technicians for Hemodialysis operate and monitor kidney dialysis instruments to provide dialysis treatment to patients with kidney failure or to maintain patients with chronic irreversible kidney disorders.Individuals that hold this position are responsible for the operation of hemodialysis equipment in the treatment of patients with renal failure; monitoring patients during dialysis treatments; cleaning, disinfection and maintenance of dialysis equipment as required; monitoring the quality of the water used for dialysis; collecting, recording and reporting water culture results; setting up and operating hemodialysis equipment; selecting, ordering, stocking, and preparing supplies needed for dialysis procedures; and mentoring new technicians. Dialysis equipment is highly complex mechanically and electronically. This position requires flexibility in schedule and Assignments as this is a 24/7 hospital. the incumbent works varying shifts with an on-call system that the incumbent will be required to work.Some duties include but are not limited to:Under the collaborative supervision of an RN team leader, 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, according to 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 and determines proper treatment procedure, technique, and machine adjustments. Assembles all necessary supplies and equipment at chair side. Connects patient to dialyzer and operates equipment to initiate extracorporeal circulation and performance of 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. Obtains blood specimens for routine or special tests. Collects laboratory specimens from patients using syringes, needles, tubes, and different sterile techniques. Documents and charts accurately on flow sheets and medical records. Responsible for the proper and safe operation of the equipment during the performance of dialysis, for the accuracy of testing, for the correction of malfunctioning, for the replacement of some or all parts of the system in the event of complications and of the disassembly and re-sterilization of the equipment. Responsible for preparation and sterilization of equipment and assembly of disposables. Cleans and sanitizes dialysis equipment to ensure bacteriostatic operating conditions using hypochlorite and other cleaning solutions. Disposes of expendable components. Responsible for monthly inventory of supplies. Estimate the needs of equipment and different types of supplies for different patients making sure that they are always available for use. Stocks supplies in the supply room and patient care needs. Work Schedule: Full-Time Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact, Christine McMahon the EDRP Coordinator at christine.mcmahon2@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]

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