Details
Posted: 06-Aug-22
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Salary: Open
Categories:
Allied Health
Internal Number: 663481000
The Columbia VA Health Care System is currently recruiting for the position of Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) for the Acute Service. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. . 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 all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technician must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations:GS-8Experience: 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of the hemodialysis process and equipment needed for home/self care including knowledge of common machine problems and repairs to such equipment. Knowledge of the equipment and procedures for peritoneal dialysis. Ability to assist the physician with percutaneous renal biopsies and peritoneal catheter insertion. Ability to provide instruction to dialysis patients in home/self care and in the maintenance of the equipment. Ability to provide instruction for physicians, nurses, and other personnel in dialysis procedures, equipment operation and maintenance, etc. Certification: No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix GS27, MEDICAL INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARDS. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-08. Physical Requirements: The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. Dorn V AMC is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients. There is a large outpatient psychiatric population, with admissions for medical co-morbidities. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. ["This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 31, 2022. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be July 9, 2022, with subsequent cut-off dates every Monday. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until position(s) are filled. Duties include, but are not limited to: Functions as a member of the Hemodialysis nursing care team and assist higher graded MITs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care, or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. Considers all characteristics of the individual, including age and life stages, state of health, race and culture, values, and previous experiences. Uses personal protection equipment (PPE) and lifting devices and operates patient care equipment according to standards and reports unsafe conditions/equipment. Exercise careful work habits and caution to assure a safe environment for patients, visitors, and other staff members as well as self. Maintains patient confidentiality (i.e., records, hospital course, treatments, etc. Accepts and carries out instructions from Supervisor. Treats all patients, families, co-workers and all customers with dignity, respect, and civility. Exercise careful work habits and caution to assure a safe environment for patients, visitors, and other staff members as well as self Operate and monitor kidney dialysis instruments to provide dialysis treatment to patients with kidney failure or to maintain patients with irreversible kidney disorders Knowledge of physiological and psychological changes and conditions related to end stage renal disease. Demonstrates the skills to set, operate, and disinfect all routine dialysis equipment used in this setting for unit or off unit treatments. Verifies dialysis equipment calibrations and performs calibrations on Phoenix and Myron meter as necessary to assure accurate test results. Consistently performs and interprets tests results for dialysate chemistries and water treatment systems for both main and portable units. Demonstrates the ability to analyze deviations from the expected norms and responds appropriately. Promptly reports all deviations to nurse manager and/or the charge nurse. Is knowledgeable of American Association of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standards as they relate to RO water/dialysate quality, colony counts and actions to take if the results are out of range of expected values. Able to assist with the process to collecting water and dialysate samples, including laboratory entry, labeling and processing according to unit policy. Consistently and accurately calculates dialysis baths according to physician's orders such by utilizing such additives as calcium and potassium. Consistently verifies amount(s) with the RN and records process according to unit policy. Performs routine cannulation on patients with established grafts and fistulas and initiates dialysis assuring that patient pre dialysis observations have been done and recorded. Monitors dialysis treatments assuring proper documentation of treatment process and terminates treatment as per unit policy. Assures that all treatment deviations are promptly reported to the charge nurse or the supervisor. Maintains appropriate levels of supplies and rotates stock according to expiration dates. Notifies appropriate personnel when stock levels are low. Knowledge of Heart saver AED (HS AED) or Basic Life Support (BLS) Provides complete personal hygiene needs. Turns and repositions patients to maintain proper body alignment, lifts, ambulates, and transfers patients. Performs glucometer testing and documents in CPRS. Cleans reusable medical equipment on the unit and maintains a neat and orderly patient care environment. Performs other duties as assigned by management. Work Schedule: 4:00 am - 2:30 pm or 6:00 am - 4:30 pm (subject to changed based on agency needs)\nCompressed/Flexible: Not Available\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nPCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]