Summary
The Medical Instrument Technician (hemodialysis) lead (MIT-HD lead) is assigned to the Hemodialysis Unit under the primary care product service line. The MIT-HD lead is responsible for the technical aspects of the equipment utilized in the dialysis setting. The MIT-HD lead is professionally responsible for planning and directing the technical work of all MIT-HD.
Clarification from the agency
This is a public announcement and is open to All US Citizens.
Duties
This announcement is open continuous. Certificates will be issued to the hiring manager on a weekly basis until all positions have been filled. Announcement will remain open until all vacancies are filled and may close sooner than 9/30/2024.
Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:
- Equipment Operation, Repair, and Maintenance:
- Identify/perform minor dialysis equipment repairs and preventive maintenance needs and maintain open communication with Biomedical engineering.
- Maintain log records on all equipment.
- Thorough knowledge and understanding of American Association of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standards. Stays abreast of AAMI changes and implements actions that reflect changes.
- Thorough knowledge of the JCAHO, CMS, and other regulatory standards.
- Works collaboratively with biomedical engineering technician assigned to dialysis in assuring safety of all equipment used in dialysis setting and assures the proper functioning of equipment. Shares all required documentation for cross checking purposes. Assures safety checks are in place and notifies biomedical technician of any missing or expired checks.
- Oversees or performs as necessary all daily, weekly or monthly checks, cultures, LAL on all equipment, checks log records for accuracy and completeness, tracks results and takes corrective action. Apprises and consults with Infection Control as necessary for persistent or unresolved issues with colony counts.
- Collaborates with the various services in facility or with outside vendors such as the RO System vendor or dialysis machine vendor for questions, problems, concerns etc.
- Assures lower level technicians are performing as required. Alerts staff to deviations in technical performance and works with staff for corrections. Consults staff on technical performance issues. Reports persistent lapses or lack of technical knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) to clinic director or designee.
- Patient Care:
- Provides routine hemodialysis on outpatients under RN supervision.
- Initiates and terminates dialysis treatments following standard procedures. Monitors patients treatment and makes necessary adjustments accordingly.
- Connects patient to dialyzer 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.
- Monitors patient during treatment which includes: BP and HR every 30 minutes or more often as condition warrants; monitors adequacy of anticoagulation; monitors patients and adjusts fluid removal, administering replacement saline per provider order and under RN supervision; recognizes and responds to adverse responses. Adverse findings are reported to the RN.
- Obtains blood specimens for routine or special tests, per policy and procedure.
- Documents and charts accurately on flow sheets and medical records. Collects data and records results of treatment, reports concerns to RN.
- Recognizes medical complications or altered response to treatment and notifies RN or MD.
- Assist in the cannulation of hemodialysis fistula or graft for dialysis.
- Recognizes when emergency measures are necessary and institutes life saving measures until medical assistance is secured. Initiates or assists in CPR and other emergency procedures.
- Miscellaneous Duties:
- Responsible for data collection of monthly labs and vascular access tracking for local use by providers and mandatory reporting to VA National Dialysis Dashboard.
- Maintains nationally recognized certification (CCHT or BONENT), or higher level of licensing.
- Provide information to director on performance, reassignments, recognition and awards and staffing needs.
- Performs Environment of Care rounds, audits of unit infection control measures, and audits lower level MIT-Hemodialysis performance.
- In conjunction with the facility Safety Officer assures that Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Book is kept up to date as solution, vendors or new items are added to the unit's inventory.
- Participates in the unit's CQI meeting providing both a written and oral report for the quarterly meetings.
- Assures that inventory control measures are in place and monitors effectively in both main unit and intensive care units with dialysis capabilities.
- Orders supplies for dialysis and CRRT.
- Update policies and procedures to maintain compliance with Joint Commission, AAMI, CDC, and CMS standards.
- Responsible for initial and ongoing training of staff related to water systems.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday with occasional weekend
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
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". 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.
- 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:
GS-9:
Lead Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis): In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level below, positions at this grade may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments.
Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-8), which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. 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:
- 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.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*)
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques such as those provided for acutely ill patients and peritoneal dialysis in order to provide training and supervision in those procedures.
- *Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
- Ability to communicate effectively and professional with employees at varying grade levels.
- *Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.
Certification: Certification by one of the following organizations is highly desirable at this level: Nephrology Certification Commission (NNCC), Board of Nephrology Examiners, Inc., Nursing and Technology (BONENT), National Nephrology Certification Organization (NNCO), and the International Certification Commission for Clinical Engineering and Biomedical Technology (ICC) in conjunction with the United States Certification Commission (USCC). Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level.
References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27, Medical Instrument Technician Qualification Standard, dated March 17, 2006.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- *Highly Encouraged* - Write to the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) on a separate document - KSAs are found under qualification/grade requirements in the announcement.
- VA 10-2850c - Signed within last 12 months
- Other (3)
- Performance Appraisal
- Professional Certification
- Proof of Marriage Status
- Resume
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/30/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12267780.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
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