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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Lead Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) Near Minneapolis, MN

Qualifications:

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

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-9:

Lead Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis): In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level below, positions at this grade may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments.

Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-8), which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. 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:

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.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*)

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques such as those provided for acutely ill patients and peritoneal dialysis in order to provide training and supervision in those procedures.
2. *Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
3. Ability to communicate effectively and professional with employees at varying grade levels.
4. *Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.

Certification: Certification by one of the following organizations is highly desirable at this level: Nephrology Certification Commission (NNCC), Board of Nephrology Examiners, Inc., Nursing and Technology (BONENT), National Nephrology Certification Organization (NNCO), and the International Certification Commission for Clinical Engineering and Biomedical Technology (ICC) in conjunction with the United States Certification Commission (USCC). Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level.

References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27, Medical Instrument Technician Qualification Standard, dated March 17, 2006.

Responsibilities:

This announcement is open continuous. Certificates will be issued to the hiring manager on a weekly basis until all positions have been filled. Announcement will remain open until all vacancies are filled and may close sooner than 9/30/2024.

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Equipment Operation, Repair, and Maintenance:
  • Identify/perform minor dialysis equipment repairs and preventive maintenance needs and maintain open communication with Biomedical engineering.
  • Maintain log records on all equipment.
  • Thorough knowledge and understanding of American Association of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standards. Stays abreast of AAMI changes and implements actions that reflect changes.
  • Thorough knowledge of the JCAHO, CMS, and other regulatory standards.
  • Works collaboratively with biomedical engineering technician assigned to dialysis in assuring safety of all equipment used in dialysis setting and assures the proper functioning of equipment. Shares all required documentation for cross checking purposes. Assures safety checks are in place and notifies biomedical technician of any missing or expired checks.
  • Oversees or performs as necessary all daily, weekly or monthly checks, cultures, LAL on all equipment, checks log records for accuracy and completeness, tracks results and takes corrective action. Apprises and consults with Infection Control as necessary for persistent or unresolved issues with colony counts.
  • Collaborates with the various services in facility or with outside vendors such as the RO System vendor or dialysis machine vendor for questions, problems, concerns etc.
  • Assures lower level technicians are performing as required. Alerts staff to deviations in technical performance and works with staff for corrections. Consults staff on technical performance issues. Reports persistent lapses or lack of technical knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) to clinic director or designee.
• Patient Care:
  • Provides routine hemodialysis on outpatients under RN supervision.
  • Initiates and terminates dialysis treatments following standard procedures. Monitors patients treatment and makes necessary adjustments accordingly.
  • Connects patient to dialyzer 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.
  • Monitors patient during treatment which includes: BP and HR every 30 minutes or more often as condition warrants; monitors adequacy of anticoagulation; monitors patients and adjusts fluid removal, administering replacement saline per provider order and under RN supervision; recognizes and responds to adverse responses. Adverse findings are reported to the RN.
  • Obtains blood specimens for routine or special tests, per policy and procedure.
  • Documents and charts accurately on flow sheets and medical records. Collects data and records results of treatment, reports concerns to RN.
  • Recognizes medical complications or altered response to treatment and notifies RN or MD.
  • Assist in the cannulation of hemodialysis fistula or graft for dialysis.
  • Recognizes when emergency measures are necessary and institutes life saving measures until medical assistance is secured. Initiates or assists in CPR and other emergency procedures.
• Miscellaneous Duties:
  • Responsible for data collection of monthly labs and vascular access tracking for local use by providers and mandatory reporting to VA National Dialysis Dashboard.
  • Maintains nationally recognized certification (CCHT or BONENT), or higher level of licensing.
  • Provide information to director on performance, reassignments, recognition and awards and staffing needs.
  • Performs Environment of Care rounds, audits of unit infection control measures, and audits lower level MIT-Hemodialysis performance.
  • In conjunction with the facility Safety Officer assures that Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Book is kept up to date as solution, vendors or new items are added to the unit's inventory.
  • Participates in the unit's CQI meeting providing both a written and oral report for the quarterly meetings.
  • Assures that inventory control measures are in place and monitors effectively in both main unit and intensive care units with dialysis capabilities.
  • Orders supplies for dialysis and CRRT.
  • Update policies and procedures to maintain compliance with Joint Commission, AAMI, CDC, and CMS standards.
  • Responsible for initial and ongoing training of staff related to water systems.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday with occasional weekend
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary