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 works 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 role involves initiating and ending treatments, operating and monitoring dialysis machinery, observing patients during treatment, responding to equipment alarms, documenting treatment and patient information, and reporting findings to the dialysis team. The position is GS-8, with a full performance level of GS-8.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, with alternating shifts of 5:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m., as well as alternating Saturdays and holidays. The position is not virtual, and telework is unavailable. This clinical position involves physical activity associated with inpatient care, including lifting and carrying items up to 35 pounds, using mechanical lifts, and various standing, walking, bending, reaching, and twisting tasks.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least one year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, demonstrating knowledge of complex procedures, related pharmacology, acute disorders and diseases, their effects on organs, and treatment methods.
• Knowledge of the hemodialysis process and home/self-care equipment, including common machine problems and repairs.
• Knowledge of equipment and procedures for peritoneal dialysis.
• Ability to assist physicians with percutaneous renal biopsies and peritoneal catheter insertion.
• Ability to instruct dialysis patients in home/self-care and equipment maintenance.
• Ability to instruct physicians, nurses, and other personnel in dialysis procedures and equipment operation and maintenance.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete required background/security investigation and onboarding requirements; selected applicants are subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Physical ability to bend, grasp, kneel, lift and carry up to 35 pounds, use an appropriate mechanical lift, pivot the waist and neck, push and pull items up to 35 pounds, reach within five feet or above shoulder height, and sit, squat, stand, walk, twist, and flex and extend the wrists.
• Adequate vision to perform assigned duties, distinguish basic colors, and assess patients and the environment safely; ability to hear sufficiently to perform duties, with hearing aids permitted.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Provide hemodialysis treatment to patients with renal failure.
• Initiate and terminate dialysis treatments according to standard procedures.
• Monitor patients throughout treatment and collaborate with clinicians on adjustments based on the patient’s medical condition, prior experience, and accepted practices.
• Assemble necessary 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 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 malfunction causing an alarm.
• Assist physicians with percutaneous renal biopsies and peritoneal catheter insertion, as required by the grade qualification criteria.
• Provide instruction to dialysis patients on home/self-care and equipment maintenance, as required by the grade qualification criteria.
• Provide instruction to physicians, nurses, and other personnel on dialysis procedures and equipment operation and maintenance, as required by the grade qualification criteria.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility criteria.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

What This Job Offers

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