Med Inst Tech (Hemodial)

Veterans Health Administration • Bronx, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring a Medical Instrument Technician for its Hemodialysis unit in Bronx, New York. The technician operates hemodialysis equipment to treat patients with renal failure, monitors patients during treatment, and cleans and maintains dialysis equipment. The role also includes monitoring dialysis water quality by collecting, recording, and reporting water culture results, and preparing and managing supplies for dialysis procedures.

Working collaboratively under the supervision of a registered nursing team or charge nurse, the technician provides hemodialysis treatments, monitors patient condition and treatment parameters, makes appropriate adjustments, documents treatment, and responds to equipment problems and medical complications. The full-performance-level position serves as part of a dialysis team treating acutely ill patients, including patients in intensive care, and involves both peritoneal and hemodialysis procedures. The technician may assist with renal biopsies and peritoneal catheter insertions and provide training to patients and healthcare personnel.

This is a full-time position with rotating 10-hour shifts, either 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. or 6:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling is available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified 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.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the hemodialysis process and equipment used for home/self-care, including common machine problems and repairs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of peritoneal dialysis equipment and procedures.
• 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.
• Certification as a Hemodialysis Technician under a state or national certification program. Certification must be successfully maintained within 18 months; accepted certifications listed include CHT (Bonet), CCHT (NNCC), and CCHT-Advanced (NNCC).
• Meet applicable state requirements for education, training, credentialing, competency, standards of practice, certification, and licensure; have a high school diploma or equivalent and complete a training program approved by the medical director and governing body.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and, if tentatively selected for this testing-designated position, submit to urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Complete background/security investigation, online onboarding, identification, application, and other pre-employment requirements.
• Register with Selective Service if a male born after December 31, 1959.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with hemodialysis machines, dialysis access care and cannulation, treatment initiation and termination, vital-sign monitoring, dialysis water treatment systems, disinfection procedures, infection control, quality standards, and water culture testing.

Responsibilities

• Provide hemodialysis treatment to patients with renal failure under the collaborative supervision of a registered nursing team or charge nurse.
• Initiate and terminate dialysis treatments according to standard procedures.
• Monitor patients during treatment, including vital signs, weight loss, blood pressure changes, fluid removal, and other changes in condition; make treatment adjustments as appropriate.
• Collect and record vital signs using blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, scales, and thermometers.
• Assemble necessary supplies and equipment at the patient's chairside; select appropriate instruments and techniques and troubleshoot complex equipment.
• Inspect and evaluate circulatory access sites; clean and dress sites using sterile technique.
• Connect patients to dialyzers and operate equipment to initiate extracorporeal circulation and dialysis.
• Prepare and dismantle extracorporeal blood circuits and dialysis machines to create sterile, air-free blood circuits.
• Operate and monitor dialysis machines and treatment procedures using prescribed procedures and machine monitoring systems.
• Set fluid-removal amounts and machine pressures according to the dialyzer's ultrafiltration coefficient.
• Obtain blood specimens and collect and prepare laboratory samples for transport or shipment.
• Accurately document and chart patient condition, treatment, and results on flow sheets and in the electronic medical record.
• Recognize complications or altered responses to treatment and notify the registered nurse and/or provider.
• Administer saline or other solutions intravenously into the dialysis line when appropriate and according to unit protocols.
• Adjust hemoglobin detector sensitivity and respond to equipment alarms, including making adjustments to correct malfunctions.
• Observe or test for blood leaks and initiate or assist with emergency measures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of emergency equipment.
• Prepare or modify chemical concentrates or special chemical baths to meet patients' treatment needs.
• Monitor dialysis water quality and collect, record, and report water culture results.
• Clean and maintain dialysis equipment and set up, select, order, stock, and prepare supplies for dialysis procedures.
• Assist patients with non-nursing requests.
• Perform peritoneal and hemodialysis procedures, including dialysis for acutely ill patients, potentially in an intensive care setting.
• Assist physicians with percutaneous renal biopsies and peritoneal catheter insertions, monitor patients during procedures, and process specimens or provide post-operative care as applicable.
• Provide instruction to patients on home/self-care dialysis and equipment maintenance, and train physicians, nurses, and technicians in dialysis procedures and equipment operation and maintenance.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Annual leave accrual based on federal service, with possible approved credit for prior work or military service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED