Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This job announcement is open to the Public and to current VHA Employees.

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The Medical Instrument Technician is responsible for preparing dialysis equipment, assisting with treatment initiation and termination, monitoring patients throughout therapy, and responding promptly to complications. The role requires strong technical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to function effectively in both routine and emergent situations.Duties include but are not limited to:

• Initiate and terminates dialysis treatments per physician orders and established protocols.
• Performs cannulation of vascular access (AV fistula, graft, or catheter) using aseptic technique.
• Monitors patients during treatment, including vital signs and clinical response.
• Recognizes and responds to complications such as hypotension, disequilibrium syndrome, arrhythmias, and allergic reactions.
• Initiates emergency response, including basic life support, as needed.
• Assists with patients comfort, positioning, and safety during treatment.
• Obtains and handles laboratory specimens accurately and timely.
• Communicates changes in patient condition promptly to the registered nurse.
• Documents patient care activities.
• Prepares, calibrates and tests dialysis machines prior to use.
• Performs cleaning, disinfection and routine maintenance of dialysis equipment.
• Monitors and maintain water treatment systems, including portable RO units.
• Troubleshoots equipment issues and reports malfunctions promptly.
• Maintains adequate dialysis supplies and coordinates restocking as needed.
• Ensures a clean, organized and safe treatment environment.
• Adheres to infection control practices, including hand hygiene and PPE use.
• Assists with setup for emergent or add-on dialysis treatments.
• Participates in quality improvement and unit-based initiatives.

Other related duties may be assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday- Saturday (Flex 12 hours 3 times a week + 8 hours)
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
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 [work experience] or 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)
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 662-10795F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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

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; however, it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• 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).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis)

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:
• 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.

Preferred Experience:
At least two years of progressively responsible experience as a Hemodialysis Medical Instrument Technician or Hemodialysis Technician in an acute-care hospital, Veterans Health Administration facility, or comparable dialysis setting, with demonstrated independent performance of complex hemodialysis procedures and management of patients with acute and chronic renal disorders.

Applicants must possess and demonstrate current, independent proficiency in performing hemodialysis procedures and operating hemodialysis equipment. This includes the ability to independently initiate, monitor, and terminate hemodialysis treatments; safely manage vascular access; recognize and respond to dialysis-related complications and emergencies; troubleshoot hemodialysis equipment and treatment problems; and perform required dialysis machine, dialysate, and water-quality safety checks in accordance with applicable standards and facility policy.

Demonstrated advanced experience in Chronic and complex hemodialysis practice, including experience with high Acuity patients, and management of complex vascular access. Experience independently troubleshooting dialysis equipment and water-treatment systems, including RO/DI systems, dialysate quality, bacterial and endotoxin testing, and machine disinfection is highly desirable.
Additional consideration will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience serving as a lead, preceptor, or resource technician; providing competency-based education to dialysis staff; participating in quality improvement and patient-safety initiatives; and collaborating effectively with nursing, nephrology providers, biomedical engineering, infection prevention, and other interdisciplinary services.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is G-8.

Physical Requirements: The position requires standing, walking, bending, lifting, and handling equipment and supplies. The MIT must be able to respond quickly in emergency situations and perform repetitive technical tasks.

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.

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.