Clinical Dialysis Technician

Job Description

Job Summary:

• Under supervision of nursing staff, is responsible for the monitoring and direct care of patients on hemodialysis.
• Monitors patients on an ongoing basis and communicates information to appropriate team member.
• Works as a member of the interdisciplinary team caring for the dialysis patient.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Monitors patients on an ongoing basis and communicates information to appropriate team member.
• Under supervision of nursing staff, is responsible for the monitoring and direct care of patients on hemodialysis.
• Responds in emergency situations.
• Reinforces education to patients.
• Documents patient care and observations (e.g. flow sheets, AMA’s, incident reports).
• Follows operational activities specific to assigned unit, (e.g. call-in times, breaks).
• Treats patients and families with respect and dignity.
• Reports to work in designated attire, (i.e. ID badge, lab coat, is neat, and maintains proper hygiene).
• Communicates with other departments, agencies or service organizations.
• Functions as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrates ability to plan work activities.
• Carries out doctors’ orders within parameters of role.
• Follows infection control policies and procedures (eg, hand washing, face shield and gloves).
• Responsible for helping minimize waste in assigned unit.
• In conjunction with team members, monitors and adjusts dialysis therapy within Product of practice to meet the needs of the patient (keeping in mind the age-specific needs of the population served).
• Serves as a resource referral for the patient.
• Demonstrates problem-solving methodologies for the benefit of the patients/significant others and the patient care area.
• Does so within Product of authority.
• Maintains neat and safe work area.
• Demonstrates technical and task-oriented skills (e.g., cannulation, machine set-ups and disinfection).

Under the delegation of the Medical Director and under nursing supervision:

• Administer normal saline solution via the extracorporeal system.
• Administer per initiation of hemodialysis procedure 2% xylocaine intradermally if ordered by the physician.
• Administer via the extracorporeal system and/or via the cannulated access site the anticoagulant heparin or saline in the dose prescribed by the physician and monitored by the nursing staff.
• Instill the anticoagulant (heparin, normal saline or 4% sodium citrate) as ordered by the physician at discontinuation of dialysis treatment into each catheter port.
• Per policy the volume equals the fill volume on catheter limbs.
• Performs blood drawing procedures
• May be required to take on-call in acute settings.

Education, Experience and Certifications/ License:

• High School Diploma required or GED Equivalent.
• Associate’s Degree in science preferred.
• Previous dialysis experience preferred.
• Minimum 1 year previous experience as a certified dialysis technician.
• Current national dialysis technician certification, BLS certification from AHA.
• For newly employed patient care technicians, certification is required within 18 months of being hired as a dialysis patient care technician.
• Dialysis clinical technician certification must be maintained in accordance with federal regulations and in accordance with the policies of the CMS approved national commercially available certification programs.
• If a patient care technician who is not certified changes jobs from one dialysis facility to another, the time he/she was employed in the first facility will count toward the 18-month deadline for certification unless he/she had a gap in employment as a patient care technician of more than 18 months.

Skills:

• Must practice the customer skills as provided through on-going training and in-services.

Must meet or exceed core customer service responsibilities, standards and behaviors as outlined in the Client’ Customer Service Policy and summarized below:

• Communication.
• Ownership.
• Understanding.
• Motivation.
• Sensitivity.
• Excellence.
• Teamwork.
• Respect.

Must possess the following personal qualities:

• Be self-directed..
• Be flexible and committed to the team concept
• Demonstrate teamwork, initiative and willingness to learn.
• Be open to new learning experiences.
• Accepts and respects diversity without judgment.
• Demonstrates customer service values.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment:

• Stands and walks most of the time on duty.
• Lifts and pushes patients on stretchers and in wheelchairs.
• Lifts and carries dialysate solution containers.
• May be subject to hazardous wastes and materials.
• Bending and stretching.
• Uses computer.
• Must pass Color vision test.
• Ability to respond to audible alarms is required.
• Demonstrates willingness and ability to work effectively in a complex and changing environment.
• Demonstrates willingness and ability to effectively relate in an organizationally acceptable manner to team members, patients, and other customers in a diverse environment
• Demonstrates a caring and compassionate manner toward the patients and their family members that are a part of the dialysis program.
• Completes all required and assigned in-services and online education and demonstrates incorporation of the teaching/learning as appropriate to position.
• Acts in a manner that demonstrates commitment to the mission, vision, values, goals and objectives of the dialysis program.
• Adheres rigorously to all infection control/infection prevention requirements.
• Behaves in a manner designed to contribute to a neat, clean, safe, compliant environment and appropriately speaks up as needed regarding any potential concerns.
• Applies process-improvement principles to daily work and work area.
• Adheres to confidentiality and HIPAA safety and privacy requirements.
• Demonstrates acceptance of working in a continuous learning environment; actively participate in own learning, seek to contribute to team and program learning as appropriate to position.
• Communicates effectively with supervisor, other charge personnel, and team members, including medical leadership as appropriate to position.
• Accepts constructive criticism professionally.
• Demonstrates team member standards and adheres to diversity principles and expectations including deaf and hard of hearing guidelines.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Interview:

• Manager will be conducting two-step interviews – quick phone interview followed by in-person interview.

Schedule Hours Per Week: 40.00
Schedule Hours Per Day: 8.00
Schedule Days Per Week: 5.00