Certified Dialysis Technician

DCH Health System•Tuscaloosa, AL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Dialysis Technician role is located on the fourth floor of the DCH Regional campus and the main floor at the DCH Northport campus. The Regional campus operates Monday-Saturday from 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM with Sunday call, and Northport campus operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with call on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Both units are equipped to perform bedside and peritoneal dialysis. Nurses and Certified Dialysis Technicians on this unit prepare and administer dialysis treatments. The role involves disinfecting water systems and dialysis equipment, monitoring environmental cultures, maintaining supplies, and ensuring an orderly environment. Technicians set up and disassemble hemodialysis machines, monitor patient conditions during treatment, provide direct care, transport patients, and function as a Unit Secretary. Responsibilities also include entering charges, ordering supplies, and maintaining unit inventories.

Requirements

Must be credentialed as a Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission.
Must be able to read, write legibly, speak and comprehend English.

Responsibilities

Begins dialysis schedule for next day, and put in computer after completion by Charge Nurse
Disinfects hemodialysis machines and water systems as defined by AAMI and unit standards at routine and PRN schedules as necessary
Collects and monitors environmental cultures and takes the appropriate actions as needed.
Maintains functional knowledge of water systems.
Inventory, order and store unit supplies. Monitor supply expiration dates rotating stock as necessary to have closest expiration date used first.
Clean, check and store unit equipment.
Knowledge of and adherence to work-related safety standards.
Start day with water system checks per policy and procedure. Set-up dialysis machines and prime tubing maintaining sterile technique. Perform water system chlorine checks every four hours.
Disassembles disposables and cleans/disinfects hemodialysis machines
Initiate maintenance requests for repairs as indicated
Clean and stock treatment area regularly. Maintain supply and water rooms making sure areas are clean and organized.
Answers telephone and relays messages accurately. Sends and receives faxes.
Maintain accurate supply, equipment, cleaning and disinfection records.
Cross-trains to function as Medical/Surgical Unit Secretary and PCA and is prepared to work in those roles during times of low census.
Enters patient data in Dialysis computer system.
Assists in orientation of new staff as it relates to disinfection processes, secretarial functions and water system maintenance
Attends required meetings and inservice programs, competencies, and CBTs.
Assists with the care and monitoring of patients receiving hemodialysis treatments under supervision of RN.
Provides direct care interventions to include, but not limited to: feeding, bathing, elimination, repositioning, comfort measures, measuring of Vital Signs, transfers to and from bed, weighing, and changing of linen.
Runs errands necessary for patient care/unit functions
Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
Must adhere to the DCH Mission, Vision, and Values including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
All other duties as assigned.