Summary The James A Haley Veterans Hospital is seeking an experienced Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis). The Lead Hemodialysis Medical Instrument Technician ( LHD-MIT) is assigned to the Dialysis Unit, organizationally responsible to Nursing/Medicine Specialty Service. The lead hemodialysis technician serves as a member of a dialysis team performing dialysis on acutely ill patients including those within an intensive care setting. Responsibilities Duties include but not limited to: The GS-9 Lead Hemodialysis Medical Instrument Technician (LHD-MIT) is assigned to the Dialysis Unit, organizationally responsible to Nursing/ Medicine Specialty, at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. The LHD-MIT is a member of the renal/dialysis multidisciplinary team & assists with the care delivery of patients in acute, sub-acute or chronic states of illness. The LHD-MIT serves as the technical authority for the Dialysis Unit, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operation of all dialysis-related systems and equipment. The incumbent provides leadership, oversight, and advanced technical expertise to maintain optimal patient care standards in alignment with regulatory requirements. The LHD-MIT has the technical responsibility for the dialysis procedural area, centralized HD water treatment and delivery room, associated inventory and supply rooms, biomedical/technical repair rooms, and dialysis-specific equipment and portable reverse osmosis machinery used in dialysis unit and critical care areas (Intensive Care Unit/Progressive Care Unit) for off-station treatments. The Lead HD-MIT plans and directs the technical work of lower grade HD-Mils. The Dialysis Technician executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to managing complex systems. Other duties may be assigned. Provides a full range of Dialysis treatment procedures, has a broad knowledge of the dialysis procedural area, centralized HD water treatment and delivery room. The Lead Technician provides leadership, oversight, and advanced technical expertise to maintain optimal patient care standards in alignment with regulatory requirements. Directs and coordinates the technical work of lower-grade Medical Instrument Technicians (Mils), providing mentorship, competency validation, and performance feedback. Serves as preceptor and coordinator for onboarding new technical and nursing staff, providing instruction on dialysis machine operation, equipment functionality, and troubleshooting. Offers constructive feedback, ensures completion of orientation documentation, and communicates progress and areas for improvement to the management team. Develops, revises, and enforces Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for water treatment and dialysis equipment in compliance with AAMI, Joint Commission, FDA, OSHA, and VHA standards. Provides technical expertise in the calibration, operation, and troubleshooting of specialized medical equipment, collaborating with Mils and biomedical support staff to maintain equipment in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and regulatory standards. Demonstrates advanced proficiency in all knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a Lead Hemodialysis MIT, including performing hemodialysis procedures for both acute and chronic renal failure patients under the supervision of the assigned RN or Charge Nurse. Operates and maintains diagnostic and therapeutic medical instruments and equipment essential for hemodialysis treatment. Independently initiates, monitors, and terminates dialysis treatments; prepares and administers prescribed solutions (e.g., lidocaine, heparin, normal saline); and ensures accurate and timely completion of all required documentation. Participates in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives and serves as a technical resource during committee meeting. Incumbent has technical responsibility for a 16-station hemodialysis procedural area, central nursing station, centralized hemodialysis water treatment & solution delivery room, associated inventory & supply rooms, biomedical/technical repair rooms, & dialysis-specific equipment & portable reverse osmosis machinery used/stored in critical care areas (ICU/PCU) for off-station treatments. The GS-9 is responsible for the following duties: Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques such as those provided for acutely ill patients and peritoneal dialysis to provide training and supervision in these procedures. Knowledge and ability to assist with airway management techniques. Ability to manage and supervise employees. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training Knowledge of Joint Commission, American Association of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standards, and all other regulatory requirements. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. Work Schedule: 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM, May vary depending on deployment and/or assigned facility needs Compressed/Flexible: 10 hour compressed tours Telework: Not Available Travel: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment NOTE: Prior to accepting a final employment offer, all selected applicants will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding regarding deployment responsibilities You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination and maintain CDT physical readiness. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Must be able to meet physical demands which include strenuous physical activity to include carrying persons and equipment, walking long distances over difficult terrain, running, climbing, working long hours in primitive or arduous conditions, long periods of standing, and bending and stooping. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications 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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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. Grade Determinations: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. 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. KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment. Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques such as those provided for acutely ill patients and peritoneal dialysis to provide training and supervision in these procedures. Knowledge and ability to assist with airway management techniques. Ability to manage and supervise employees. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training Knowledge of Joint Commission, American Association of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standards, and all other regulatory requirements. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. Certification. No certification required. BLS Required to work on the Unit. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. 1. Special Assignments. Non-supervisory hemodialysis technicians may have assignments that because of their nature substantially exceed the full performance level. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. Physical Requirements: The Technician must spend a great deal of time walking and standing. Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 35 pounds safely. Walking, standing, stooping, bending, and kneeling for 4-6 hours intermittently. Prolonged sitting for 1-2 hours at a time. Frequent reaching above head and shoulders. Pushing equipment or carts for up to 4-5 hours intermittently. Repeated wrist movements setting up dialysis machines for 2-4 hours intermittently. Technician must expend considerable energy in the transport of heavy dialysis equipment and working in close quarters to check, adjust and make major and minor repairs at the bedside. Education Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
