Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees and all US Citizens. First area of consideration given to Facility employee, second area of consideration given to Other VA employees and third area of consideration given to all other US citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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Medical Instrument technician-Hemodialysis duties include but not limited to:

• 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, and scales and thermometers. Records patients' condition and changes (blood pressure, excess fluid, etc.), and determines proper treatment procedure, technique, and machine adjustments.
• Assembles all necessary supplies and equipment at chair side.
• Inspects and evaluates circulatory access site. Cleans and dresses circulatory site using sterile techniques.
• Connects patient to the dialyzer (using venipunctures, external shunt, etc.) and operates equipment to initiate extracorporeal circulation and performance of dialysis. Prepares and dismantles extracorporeal blood circuits and the dialysis machines 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.
• Obtains blood specimens for routine or special tests. Collects laboratory specimens from patients using syringes, needles, tubes, and different sterile techniques. Processes lab samples. Centrifuges samples, boxes samples, and prepares samples for shipment.
• Documents and charts accurately on flow sheets and medical records. Assesses and records the results of the dialysis treatment, plans future care, and reports program to the dialysis team.
• Recognizes medical complications or altered response to treatment and notifies RN or MD.
• 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.
• Obtains blood specimens for routine or special tests. Collects laboratory specimens from patients using syringes, needles, tubes, and different sterile techniques. Processes lab samples. Centrifuges samples, boxes samples, and prepares samples for shipment.
• Documents and charts accurately on flow sheets and medical records. Assesses and records the results of the dialysis treatment, plans future care, and reports program to the dialysis team.
• Recognizes medical complications or altered response to treatment and notifies RN or MD.
• Maintains skills necessary to do regional heparinization, separate and store blood samples, set up oxygen, administer saline, and maintain equipment.
• Train and mentor new dialysis technicians and assign specific tasks under the direction of the RN charge nurse/team
• leader.
• Collaborates with other technicians, RNs, physicians, and physician extenders and keeps them informed of technical changes, new equipment, and procedures, actual or potential difficulties, changes or shortages of supplies, and other issues which may affect the operation of the dialysis center.
• Conserves resources effectively by using supplies and equipment in a responsible manner.
• Documents patient care and technical work. Documentation is consistent, accurate, concise, and timely. Uses the VA Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and dialysis machine software.

Preferred Experience: 2 years of experience as a Certified Hemodialysis Technician & an active CCHT or comparable Hemodialysis Certification.

Work Schedule: 9:00 am-7:30 pm rotating schedule including Saturdays. Schedule may be subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 94511-A, 94512-A, 93898-A, 93899-A, 93900-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, lifting, carrying, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and must don protective clothing during patient care. Must be flexible, sensible and capable or working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual employee health requirements. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.

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.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English
• Education. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels.
• 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 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.

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:
GS-4
Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-3) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level. OR,
Education: Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of basic medical terminology.
2. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used.
3. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress.
4. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted.
5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing.

GS-5
Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-4) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. OR,
Education: Successful completion of four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions.
2. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment.
3. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities.
4. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures.
5. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine.

GS-6 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.
Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Skill in setting up, operating, and performing calibrations as required on a variety of dialysis equipment.
2. Skill in performing and interpreting test results (dialysate chemistries, water treatment testing for contaminates, etc.) including the ability to analyze deviations from the expected norm and responding appropriately.
3. Knowledge of American Association of Medical Instrumentation (AMMI) standards and unit policies as they relate to water treatment.
4. Knowledge of physiological and psychological changes and conditions related to end stage renal disease.
5. Ability to calculate dialysis baths according to the physician's orders per patient by mixing critical concentrates, i.e., calcium, potassium, and bicarbonate.6. Knowledge of Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS).

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.
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.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

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.

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.
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.
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.

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 in the range of GS-4 to GS-8.

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.

Resume must include the following information:

• Job Title and Employer (including series and grade for any Federal positions)
• Duties (Be as detailed as possible)
• Month and year start/end dates (e.g. June 2024 to April 2025)
• Full-time or part-time (include hours worked per week)

NOTE: Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. Resume building tools can be found at:

• https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit
• https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/merit-hiring-plan-resources/applicant-guidance-on-the-two-page-resume-limit/

Creditable Experience - Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to the identified specialty area. [Specialized developmental experience obtained under 6 supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices.

Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled.

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.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility
2. All other VA employees
3. All other applicants