Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis Technician)

Veterans Health Administration • Detroit, MI

5d • $19 - $29 • Onsite

About The Position

Medical Instrument technicians-Hemodialysis (MIT) at the VA dialysis center are responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis equipment in the treatment of patients with renal failure. They monitor patients during dialysis treatments, clean and sterilize dialysis equipment. They monitor the quality of the water used for dialysis; collect, record, and report water culture results. The MIT performs duties as part of the dialysis team under the direction of the nurse manager and staff nurse.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• GS-4 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.
• GS-4 KSAs: Knowledge of basic medical terminology. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted. 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.
• GS-5 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.
• GS-5 KSAs: Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. 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.
• GS-6 KSAs: Skill in setting up, operating, and performing calibrations as required on a variety of dialysis equipment. 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. Knowledge of American Association of Medical Instrumentation (AMMI) standards and unit policies as they relate to water treatment. Knowledge of physiological and psychological changes and conditions related to end stage renal disease. Ability to calculate dialysis baths according to the physician's orders per patient by mixing critical concentrates, i.e., calcium, potassium, and bicarbonate. 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.
• GS-7 KSAs: Ability to assist the physician in more complex procedures such as central venous catheter insertion. Ability to assist in training patients in home/self-care by teaching components of machine operation including water treatment and monitoring patients for compliance. Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians. 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.
• 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.
• This clinical position includes a level of physicality normally associated with outpatient direct nursing care, including bending, grasping, kneeling, performing moderate lifting, carrying tasks of up to 35 pounds per the Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) guidelines and using an appropriate mechanical lift.
• Candidates must possess the ability to pivot their waist and neck, push and pull items not greater than 35 pounds and reach within a five-foot distance or above shoulder height.
• The position requires sitting, squatting, standing, walking and twisting, alongside wrist flexion and extension.
• Employees are expected to employ proper body mechanics during lifting.
• Requires adequate vision to accurately perform the assigned duties, distinguish basic colors and assess patients and the environment safely.
• The position requires the ability to hear at a level to perform the assigned duties, and the use of hearing aids permitted.

Nice To Haves

• 2 years of experience as a Certified Hemodialysis Technician & an active CCHT or comparable Hemodialysis Certification.
• Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable.
• BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification is desirable at GS-6.
• BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications are desirable at GS-7 and GS-8.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.

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.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree