Acute Inpatient Care Technician

Fresenius Medical Care•Gulfport, MS

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Functions as part of the Inpatient Services Hemodialysis Health Care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy for assigned patients in accordance with company policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. Provides patient care under the direct supervision of a Hemodialysis Registered Nurse in an acute-care setting. The position may support hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement, and peritoneal dialysis therapies when competency and proficiency are documented. The role includes preparing and checking dialysis equipment, monitoring patients before, during, and after treatment, documenting care in patient records and electronic systems, collecting specimens, and reporting unusual findings or problems to the RN. The position also supports a safe and clean care environment and participates in quality and process-improvement activities. Work takes place in health care facilities and includes interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. Work may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials, frequent prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and equipment. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Must meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

At least six months of experience in a related field, such as EMT, surgical technician, Army, phlebotomy, or technician experience; experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care under the direct supervision of a Hemodialysis Registered Nurse for assigned patients in an acute dialysis setting.
Report and document new or unusual incidents, information, complaints, problems, or patient findings to the RN.
Promote and assist in maintaining a safe and clean working environment; support quality enhancement and quality assessment and performance improvement activities.
When competency and proficiency are documented, set up and prime equipment as directed by the nurse for renal replacement therapies.
Set up and test dialysis machines to ensure they are safe for treatment in accordance with manufacturer instructions and company policies and procedures.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their well-being since their last treatment; report complaints or observations to the RN.
Obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and report unusual findings to the RN.
Report cannulation difficulties, as permitted by state requirements, and unusual findings to the RN.
Accurately document patient-treatment information in the patient record, including the hospital Electronic Medical System and Acute Care Electronic System.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, sodium modeling, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including narrow venous limits (NVL 160).
Collect and label specimens and ensure timely delivery to the laboratory according to facility policy.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed by physician orders or directed by the RN; monitor and report patient responses and unusual findings.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform functions needed to discontinue treatment, including documentation.
Evaluate the patient before termination of venous access, obtain standing and sitting blood pressures, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate the patient before discharge and report unusual findings to the RN.
Review and comply with the Code of Business Conduct, company policies and procedures, and applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Assist with projects assigned by the direct supervisor or supervising RN and perform other duties as assigned.