Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) Job in Aurora, CO

Vacancy No. CBSU-12717190-25-SM Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $40,194.00 to $80,203.00 Grade 4 to 8
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/2/2025 Close Date 4/11/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Aurora, CO


Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician is a member of the Renal Section of Nursing Services in Rocky Mountain Regional Medical Center, operates the dialysis machines, the Portable reverse osmosis(RO) machines and the main RO system used for dialysis treatments. The Hemodialysis technician at this level functions with minimal instruction, in the hemodialysis unit under the supervision of the dialysis RN. This recruitment is for one GS 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 OPT-Medical Instrument Technician SA-Hemodialysis.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to the public. Current permanent federal employees MUST apply to INTERNAL job announcement: CBSU-12717191-25-SM.

Duties

The Hemodialysis Technician adheres to universal precautions and all applicable SOPs. The Hemodialysis Technician documents and logs data adhering to patient privacy and information security policy. Under the supervision of an assigned Dialysis RN, the hemodialysis technician performs all duties related to dialysis: machine set-up, obtaining physiological information on patients (i.e. BP, weight, TPR) initiation of dialysis, cannulation of dialysis access, connecting patient to machine, monitoring patient and machine during treatment, termination of dialysis to include rinse back of blood, extracting needles from access site, ensuring that bleeding of needle sites ceases, and documentation of care provided during the treatment. The hemodialysis technician instructs patient pre-procedure to assure confidence and cooperation of patient during procedures. He/she independently explains various procedures including basic concepts of dialysis process, cannulation or catheter procedure, purpose of alarms on the dialysis machine and a demonstration of what they sound like, possible symptoms to be aware of during the dialysis treatment (i.e., cramping of the muscles). He/she explains requirements for accurate monitoring of BP and pulse every 15-30 minutes during treatment. The hemodialysis technician provides answers to questions that patient and or family members may have or refers to RN if unable to provide information.

The hemodialysis technician can assess basic deviations from the unexpected, determine whether the deviations are machine or patient related. The hemodialysis technician can recognize and, in collaboration with the RN, responds appropriately to a variety of routine and extraordinary complications and emergencies specific to dialysis, i.e. symptomatic hypotension, inadequate access flow, cramping, infiltrated access, clotted dialyzer, and machine alarm assessments.

The hemodialysis technician collaborates with Dialysis RN & Charge RN on the needs of the chronic dialysis patient, assists with inpatient treatment care by assisting with equipment needs for the inpatient setting, i.e. transporting, setting up, disinfection, and other equipment needs as indicated by the Charge/. Inpatient RN. The hemodialysis technician has knowledge of the water system that includes the performance of water testing for chorine and chloramines prior to each patient shift and proper operation of water treatment equipment used to make water suitable for hemodialysis procedures. Other duties included are disinfection, rinsing procedures and record keeping. The hemodialysis technician communicates to Lead Technician the need for repairs of machines and other dialysis equipment. The hemodialysis technician recognizes abnormal results for water samples and respond accordingly. They may assist Lead dialysis technician in delegated tasks such as required monthly water sampling.

The hemodialysis technician consistently utilizes proper infection control practices per unit guidelines. The hemodialysis technician on a regular and recurring basis stocks dialysis supplies in the patient care area and assist with inventory of supplies.

The hemodialysis technician participates in duties such as access flow monitoring on a monthly or as needed basis. The hemodialysis technician participates in interdisciplinary Quality Improvement activities within the dialysis unit. The hemodialysis technician operates, troubleshoots, calibrates and repairs different kinds of dialysis delivery equipment including dialysis machines, and water treatment systems. Duties include cleaning, disinfecting, and rinsing of equipment as well as re-usable expendables. Ensures equipment is safe for operation and maintains records as required by rules and regulations. The hemodialysis technician will assist in investigating and evaluating new equipment, technology, and treatment methods and present findings and recommendations to the multidisciplinary team.


Work Schedule: 0400-1630 Mon-Sat, rotating schedule including Saturdays & holidays.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 554-555333-A,554-555334-A,554-555335-A, 554-555336-A, 554-555337-A,
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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

Applicants pending completion of educational/certification/licensure requirements may be referred & tentatively selected but can't 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 US citizens
  • English Language Proficiency Applicants must be proficient in spoken & written English
  • Education. There are no specific educational requirements for occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at GS-4 & GS-5 levels. See grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions
Grade Determination Requirements: Criteria discussed in applicable headings must be met when determining candidate's grade in addition to basic requirements for employment

GS-4

Experience. At least 1 year experience comparable to next lower grade level which demonstrates Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, KSAs & other characteristics related to position duties. 6 months of experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing or similar fields. Remaining 6 months must have been in operating diagnostic & therapeutic equipment covered by occupation. Experience gained in operating equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level.

OR

Education. Successful completion of two years of education above high school or associate's degree w/ a major field of study directly related to medical instrument technician occupation

Also, candidates must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities, KSAs:

Demonstrated KSAs

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

GS-5

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 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 bachelor's degree w/ courses related to occupation or bachelor's degree in major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions

Also, candidates must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities, KSAs:

Demonstrated 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 8 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.

Also, candidates must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities, KSAs:

Demonstrated 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). (c) Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification.

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.

Also, candidates must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities, KSAs:

Demonstrated 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.

Also, candidates must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities, KSAs:

Demonstrated 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.

Preferred Experience: Chronic hemodialysis experience. Reverse Osmosis (RO) and water testing experience including use of a portable RO. Certification from NNCC or BONENT.

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/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Please be clear and specific in describing your experience, or any information in your resume or any attachments you provide. We will not make assumptions regarding any information provided regarding your experience on your resume or any information contained in your application materials. Your application, résumé, 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.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • Resume


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
  • Other (1)
  • Other (2)
  • Other (3)
  • 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.

How to Apply

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 Eastern Standard Time on 04/11/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12717190.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Agency contact information

VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Address
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
1700 N Wheeling St
Aurora, CO 80045
US

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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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