Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Assigned Duties:
The Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) is responsible for the operation of hemodialysis equipment in the treatment of patients with chronic renal failure. Duties include monitoring patients during dialysis treatments; cleaning, disinfecting, and maintenance of dialysis equipment; 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. The Hemodialysis Technician performs his/her duties as part of the dialysis team under the direction of the Nurse Manager and Staff Nurse. Other responsibilities and duties include but not limited to the following:

Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) GS-08 Duties:

• Performs and interprets test results including water treatment testing and is able to analyze deviations from the expected norm and responds appropriately.
• Is knowledgeable of the American Association of Medical Instruments (AMMI) standards and unit policies as the relate to water treatment, cell counts and disinfection.
• Performs routine dialysis start up and take off procedures under the supervision of the primary RN. Checks patient's condition and knowledgeable of proper treatment procedures, technique, and machine adjustments; understands medical treatment for patients with renal failure
• Is knowledgeable of the physiological and psychological changes and conditions related to ESRD.
• Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to supervisor those that would improve the operation of the section.
• Calculates dialysis baths according to the physician's orders per patient by mixing concentrates, i.e., calcium, and potassium.
• Recognizes and reacts to signs and symptoms that signal the onset of complications of dialysis including hypotension, and cramping.
• Maintains unit stock levels of disposable dialysis items. Monitors and reports stocking discrepancies that would impact patient flow.
• Technician is aware of and practices the safety policies/procedures of the medical center, and participates in quality assurance activities as directed.
• Assists the physician in more complex procedures such as central venous catheter insertion.
• Assists in training patients in home/self-care dialysis by teaching components of dialysis operation such as water treatment and monitoring patients for compliance to any recommended water system changes.
• Mentor or precept less experienced technicians.
• Able to analyze deviations from the expected, determine whether the deviations are machine or patient related, and respond
• according to the findings.
• 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.
• 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.
• Performs dialysis Adequacy evaluations for Hemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis patients.
• Performs unit Quality Assurance Audits.
• Maintains and updates unit database program and monitors system performance.
• Works under the general direction of the Dialysis Nurse Manager.

NOTE: The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must be able to lift and transport bulky equipment and supplies, including large salt pellet bags.

Work Schedule: 0600-1630; 10 hour shifts; 4 days a week (Mon-Sat)
Telework: Not Eligible
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases.
Paid Time Off: Receive 13 to 26 days paid time off per year, not to include 10 paid federal holidays; and 13 sick days annual with no limitation on accumulation.
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).
For More Information on Benefits: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Benefits/EmploymentBenefits

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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. 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".
• 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.

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).

Preferred Experience: 2-3 years of experience in Dialysis is preferred; 2 years' experience performing Medical Instrument Technician Hemodialysis duties in an acute care or outpatient setting and BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications

II. SCOPE OF WORK
Assignments involve performing hemodialysis procedures.

III. QUALIFICATIONS- Knowledge of the hemodialysis process and equipment- Ability to provide instruction to dialysis patients in dialysis procedures, equipment operation and maintenance- Ability to provide instruction for Providers, Nurses, and other personnel in dialysis procedures, equipment operation and troubleshooting, 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.

Grade Determination:GS-8: 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:
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.

References: VHA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G27/Appendix G- Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis)The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.