CCHT

Carilion Clinic•Roanoke, VA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Inpatient Dialysis Technician assumes responsibility for care of the dialysis patient only as it pertains to dialysis under the supervision of a RN or physician. The Technician is not responsible for general patient care. Certified Hemodialysis Technician: Demonstrates applicable knowledge of policies and procedures related to the Dialysis Patient Care Technician. Demonstrates ability to work with any patient or staff, regardless of race, gender, disease process, lifestyle, religious or cultural beliefs, or treatment. Develops and assimilates theoretical and technical knowledge with observations, assessment, and communication skills to detect dialysis and non-dialysis related problems. Assists RN staffs to transport/set-up machines, start ROs (ICUs & home unit) Assists with set up and tear down HD machines for RN staffs and switches out HD machines in use with idle machines to assure all are disinfected at least once every 72 hours. Assists with patient transport as necessary Performs monthly environmental testing for chemical contaminants, colony count and endotoxin in dialysis water and dialysis fluids, ships specimens to lab, documents and reports results to Unit Director. Take appropriate action when results are out of range. Performs audits on log forms for all water treatment and hemodialysis equipment. Attends and participates in quality assurance performance improvement (QAPI) meetings. Restocks bedside acute carts daily. Checks expiration dates on all lab specimen tubes and reagents used in the Dialysis Unit monthly. Performs disinfection and cleaning on all dialysis equipment. Stores dialysis equipment, leave patient area neat and clean. Takes and records patients pre-dialysis weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate. Explains dialysis procedure and operation of hemodialysis machine to the patient before treatment to allay anxieties. Cleans area of access (fistula, graph or catheter) using aseptic solution. Connects hemodialysis machine to access in patient's forearm, leg or catheter site to start blood circulating through dialyzer. Starts blood flow pump at prescribed rate. Inspects venous and arterial pressures as registered on equipment to ensure pressures are within normal limits. Calculates fluid removal or replacement to be achieved during dialysis procedure. Monitors patient for adverse reaction and hemodialysis machine for malfunction. Takes and records patients post-dialysis weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate. As well as documents post-dialysis note. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Listen and respond understood manner. Ability to foster an environment of cooperation, collaboration, and teamwork. Ability to recognize and deal with priorities of need. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to relate to people in a manner which instills confidence and establishes rapport. Ability to be flexible and adaptable in the unit and hospital level. Ability to gain support and input from team members. Ability to make sound decisions in a timely manner. Ability to remain calm, interpret data and conditions as presented, and to provide solutions under stress. Moderately active work involving lifting and carrying, walking and standing for considerable lengths of time. Talking and listening to communicate ideas or requirements to individual staff members. Visual acuity to prepare and read written material accurately. Audio acuity to listen attentively and accurately. Ability to push, pull, mobilize (with assistance of wheels, carts, and other equipment) approximately 200 pounds. Ability to work overtime as needed to complete general responsibilities to meet the needs of the unit or corporation. Full use of all extremities with hand dexterity. Ability to travel when necessary to meet the needs of the unit and hospital. Successful completion of training course in theory and practice of hemodialysis as approved by the State of Virginia. Valid drivers’ license and insurance, if travel involves driving an automobile. Computer knowledge desirable. Successful completion of current CPR Healthcare Recognition according to the American Heart Association. Possesses reliable transportation. NOTE: Reasonable accommodation will be made as necessary if an individual cannot meet the above requirements. Advanced certification: Code of Virginia 18 VAC 75-40-10 Certified Dialysis Technician: means a person has obtained certification from an organization approved by the Virginia Board of Health Professions to provide, under the supervision of a licensed practitioner of medicine or a registered nurse, direct care to patients undergoing renal dialysis treatments in a Medicare – certified renal dialysis facility. Such care may include, but not be limited to, the administration of heparin, topical needle anesthetics, dialysis solutions, sterile normal saline, and blood volumizers in accordance with the order. IGENERAL PROVISIONS: SCOPE OF PRACTICE Pursuant to Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia 18 VAC 75-40-20 • Advanced Hemodialysis Technicians shall only practice under the supervision of a licensed practitioner of medicine or a registered nurse. • Advanced Hemodialysis Technicians shall administer medications only under the orders of a licensed physician, nurse practitioner of physician’s assistant and under the direct and immediate supervision of a registered nurse.

Requirements

Education: High School Diploma or general education diploma (GED).
Successful completion of a nationally recognized Hemodialysis Training Program.
Experience: None
Licensure, certification, and/or registration: Must hold one of the following certifications pursuant to 18 VAC 75-40-30 of the Virginia Department of Health Professions Regulations Governing the Certification of Dialysis Technicians: Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CHHT) by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) by the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT) Certified in Clinical Nephrology Technology (CCNT) by the National Nephrology Certification Organization (NNCO) Certification or licensure as a dialysis technician or similar title by another jurisdiction in the US provided the standards for certification or licensure or substantially equivalent to those in Virginia.
Other Minimum Qualifications: Exposed to potentially hazardous/infectious materials, observing and complying with the safety regulations/requirements of the hospital and governmental agencies.
Requires lifting.
Successful completion of training course in theory and practice of hemodialysis as approved by the State of Virginia.
Valid drivers’ license and insurance, if travel involves driving an automobile.
Successful completion of current CPR Healthcare Recognition according to the American Heart Association.
Possesses reliable transportation.

Nice To Haves

Computer knowledge desirable.

Responsibilities

Assists RN staffs to transport/set-up machines, start ROs (ICUs & home unit)
Assists with set up and tear down HD machines for RN staffs and switches out HD machines in use with idle machines to assure all are disinfected at least once every 72 hours.
Assists with patient transport as necessary
Performs monthly environmental testing for chemical contaminants, colony count and endotoxin in dialysis water and dialysis fluids, ships specimens to lab, documents and reports results to Unit Director.
Take appropriate action when results are out of range.
Performs audits on log forms for all water treatment and hemodialysis equipment.
Attends and participates in quality assurance performance improvement (QAPI) meetings.
Restocks bedside acute carts daily.
Checks expiration dates on all lab specimen tubes and reagents used in the Dialysis Unit monthly.
Performs disinfection and cleaning on all dialysis equipment.
Stores dialysis equipment, leave patient area neat and clean.
Takes and records patients pre-dialysis weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate.
Explains dialysis procedure and operation of hemodialysis machine to the patient before treatment to allay anxieties.
Cleans area of access (fistula, graph or catheter) using aseptic solution.
Connects hemodialysis machine to access in patient's forearm, leg or catheter site to start blood circulating through dialyzer.
Starts blood flow pump at prescribed rate.
Inspects venous and arterial pressures as registered on equipment to ensure pressures are within normal limits.
Calculates fluid removal or replacement to be achieved during dialysis procedure.
Monitors patient for adverse reaction and hemodialysis machine for malfunction.
Takes and records patients post-dialysis weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate.
As well as documents post-dialysis note.