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. 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.
- Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation.
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-07:
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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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.
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.
Assignment. At this level in addition to providing hemodialysis for chronic patients, hemodialysis technicians assist the physician during central venous catheter insertion, assist in the training of patients for home dialysis/self-care, and act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded hemodialysis technicians. At this level, the technician accepts responsibility and accountability for his/her own actions.
GS-08:
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.
Assignment. This represents the full performance level. At this level the hemodialysis technician serves as a member of a dialysis team performing dialysis on acutely ill patients including those within an intensive care setting. Assignments involve performing both peritoneal and hemodialysis procedures. The dialysis technician may participate in percutaneous renal biopsies, watching the patient during the procedure and properly processing the specimen. Assists the physician in peritoneal catheter insertions and observes the patient for vital signs and provides post operative care. Provides instruction and monitors patients for home dialysis. Performs training of physicians, nurses, and technicians on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis techniques.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is 08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of
GS-07 to
GS-08.
Physical Requirements:
Lifting, pushing, and pulling of up to 35 pounds. Walking, standing, stooping, bending, and kneeling for up to 4 - 6 hours intermittently. Pushing for up to 4 - 5 hours intermittently. Continuous use of computer for 2 - 4 hours including use of keyboard and mouse. Prolonged, continuous sitting for 1 - 2 hours. Prolonged, repeated wrist movement using scanners for 2 - 4 hours, intermittently. Ability to work rotating shifts including days, evenings, and nights. Reaching above head and shoulder required. Ability needed to distinguish color or blanching. Ability to hear people speaking and to be able to answer phone. Manual dexterity- Ability to use fingers to start IVs, feel pulses, feel temperature, feel texture. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously required.