Dialysis Technician, OP Hemodialysis

Overview

Provides specialized direct patient care under the direction of the Registered Nurse. Initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments and monitoring of patients throughout treatments. Maintains a professional manner, and a professional appearance and behavior. Must maintain certification as Dialysis Technician and providing direct patient care in the dialysis setting.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Technical knowledge and ability to maintain dialysis equipment in conjunction with Biomedical Team.
• Responsible to understand and apply infection prevention protocols for dialysis biomedical equipment.
• Perform daily and intermittent water room checks and ensures compliance with applicable regulations.
• Performs monthly water room disinfection or as required based on testing results and parameters.
• Records equipment status, repair and other regulatory points of documentation.
• Ability to read and comprehend complex instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, patients, significant others, and other employees of the organization.
• Interviews patients, collects patient assessment data, measures vital signs (including manual blood pressures), such as pulse rate, temperature, blood pressure, weight, and records information on patients' treatment records.
• Sets up patient station, including chair, supplies, and machine pre-treatment, enters data into machine.
• Takes down and cleans machines post treatment.
• Cannulates patient access, removes needles when treatment complete.
• Initiates and performs treatments, and collects lab specimens, preparation of heparin for catheter flush.
• Performs dialysis catheter care, accesses catheter, flushes and heparinizes catheter.
• Performs water, dialysate, and machine safety checks.
• Performs LAL, water, and dialysate collection for testing.
• Inventories and orders medical supplies.
• Performs vascular access monitoring, and data collection.
• Participates in dept. performance improvement, education and training, collection of lab specimens.

Culture of Excellence Behavior Expectations

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following behavior expectations:

Quality- Follows policies and procedures; adapts to and manages changes in the environment; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness giving attention to details; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Manages time and prioritizes effectively to achieve organizational goals.

Service- Responds promptly to requests for service and assistance; Follows the Mercyhealth Critical Moments of service; Meets commitments; Abides by MH confidentiality and security agreement; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; and effectively communicates information to partners; Thinks system wide regarding processes and functions.

Partnering- Shows commitment to the Mission of Mercyhealth and Culture of Excellence through all words and actions; Exhibits objectivity and openness to other's views; Demonstrates a high level of participation and engagement in day-to-day work; Gives and welcomes feedback; Generates suggestions for improving work: Embraces teamwork, supports and encourages positive change while giving value to individuals.

Cost- Conserves organization resources; Understands fiscal responsibility; Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue.

Education and Experience

One-year certificate from college or technical school, or three to six months related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certification and Licensure

Required Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (NNCC or BONET)

CNA, CMA, LPN, or a Phlebotomy certification preferred

Approved CPR or BLS certification required within 90 days (Other certification per unit requirements: ACLS, PALS, PEARS, NRP)

Skills and Abilities

Adaptability to changing priorities and good interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with team members and patients with positive response.

Use assistive devices to move patient from wheelchair to dialysis chair (example is EZ Lift)

Knowledge of venipuncture and lab specimen collection protocols preferred.

Typing skills and electronic medical record input required.

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of EPIC or other electronic medical record (Clarity) for dialysis charting and Mercy Learning Center. Must pass color blind testing to work in Dialysis (Ishihara test).

Special Physical Demands

The Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, reach with hands or arms, talk or hear, and use hands to handle, finger, and feel. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, kneel, crawl, stoop, crouch, and taste or smell. The employee must be able to assist transferring and ambulating patients. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 50 pounds, frequently lift and/or move more than 100 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 500 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Level of Supervision

Responsibilities may include educating and/or training employees toward employee adherence to annual education and certification requirements then sharing same with RN Lead Educator to promote patient safety and compliance with regulations. Work is performed according to specific procedures and methods, but the incumbent must make minor decisions in order to adapt to routine situations.

Supervises

N/A