Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis)

Veterans Health Administration • Cleveland, OH

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting a part-time Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) for the Surgical-Perioperative section of Patient Care Nursing Service. The technician serves as a member of the dialysis team under the direction of the nurse manager and staff nurse, providing hemodialysis care to patients with renal failure. The full performance level is GS-8; applicants may be selected at grades GS-4 through GS-8.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, on alternating shifts of 5:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m., with alternating Saturdays and holidays. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

This clinical position involves physical activity associated with inpatient care. Duties may require bending, grasping, kneeling, lifting and carrying up to 35 pounds, using an appropriate mechanical lift, pivoting, pushing and pulling items up to 35 pounds, reaching within five feet or above shoulder height, sitting, squatting, standing, walking, twisting, and wrist flexion and extension. Adequate vision to perform duties, distinguish basic colors, and assess patients and the environment safely is required. The employee must be able to hear sufficiently to perform assigned duties; hearing aids are permitted.

Applicants must meet applicable VA qualification requirements. Depending on grade, qualifications may be met through relevant experience or qualifying education, along with the knowledge, skills, and abilities specified for that grade. The preferred candidate has two years of chronic hemodialysis experience, dialysis certification through the Ohio Board of Nursing or another state, and current BCLS and ACLS certifications. The position requires U.S. citizenship, proficiency in spoken and written English, and compliance with VA screening, onboarding, security, identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements. A one- or two-year trial period applies.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the applicable grade-level qualification requirements through qualifying experience or education and demonstrate the specified grade-level knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• GS-4: At least one year of comparable experience, including six months in a medically related field and six months operating relevant diagnostic or therapeutic equipment; or two years of post-high-school education or an associate’s degree in a directly related major. Required abilities include basic medical terminology, learning equipment operation and settings, recognizing patient distress, learning procedure positions, and communicating orally and in writing.
• GS-5: At least one year of comparable equipment-operation experience; or four academic years of post-high-school education leading to a related bachelor’s degree or an appropriate bachelor’s degree. Required abilities include medical terminology, positioning patients, recognizing and reporting obvious abnormalities, operating equipment for routine procedures, and performing standard equipment maintenance.
• GS-6: At least one year of comparable experience, plus skills in setting up, operating, and calibrating dialysis equipment; testing and interpreting dialysate and water-treatment results; knowledge of applicable AAMI standards and unit water-treatment policies; knowledge of conditions associated with end-stage renal disease; ability to calculate dialysis baths and mix concentrates according to physician orders; and knowledge of BCLS.
• GS-7: At least one year of comparable experience, plus ability to assist with complex procedures such as central venous catheter insertion; train patients in home/self-care machine operation and monitor compliance; mentor or precept lower-graded technicians; and analyze deviations to determine whether they are machine- or patient-related and respond appropriately.
• GS-8: At least one year of comparable experience, plus knowledge of hemodialysis processes and home/self-care equipment, common machine problems and repairs, peritoneal dialysis equipment and procedures, and relevant pharmacology and acute disorders; ability to assist with renal biopsies and peritoneal catheter insertion; and ability to instruct patients and staff in dialysis procedures and equipment use and maintenance.
• Meet the physical requirements of the clinical position, including lifting and carrying tasks up to 35 pounds, use of an appropriate mechanical lift, mobility and reaching tasks, and adequate vision and hearing.
• Complete required pre-employment screening and onboarding, including applicable drug testing, background/security investigation, acceptable identification, and participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• If qualifying through education, use education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of chronic hemodialysis experience.
• Dialysis certification through the Ohio Board of Nursing or another state.
• Current BCLS and ACLS certifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide hemodialysis treatment to patients with renal failure.
• Initiate and terminate dialysis treatments according to standard procedures.
• Monitor patients during treatment and, in collaboration with the clinician, make necessary adjustments based on the patient’s medical condition, prior experience, and accepted practices.
• Assemble required supplies and equipment at the patient’s chair side.
• Operate and monitor dialysis machinery using prescribed procedures and the machine monitoring system.
• Accurately document and chart treatment information on flow sheets and in medical records.
• Assess and record dialysis treatment results, plan for future care, and report progress to the dialysis team.
• Recognize medical complications or altered responses to treatment and notify an RN or MD.
• Respond to equipment alarms, adjust alarm limits, and correct the cause of malfunctions.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type, and applicants are directed to contact the hiring agency for details.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed