Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Knoxville, TN

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. Responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines and assisting in maintaining a safe and clean working environment. Supports the organization's commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI Activities, actively participating in process improvement activities to enhance patient satisfaction and achieve quality goals.

Requirements

High School diploma or its equivalent required.
Must have a valid PCT national certification or state specific certification as defined by Center for Medicaid/Medicare (CMS).
All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
Attendance and active participation in all applicable preceptor training programs as established by education leadership.
Attends Fresenius and publicly offered skill-based training as assigned by Clinical Manager.
At least five years patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred.
Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organization dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.

Responsibilities

Assist other health care members in providing patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures, disease process, and access.
Welcome assigned patients, inquire about their wellbeing, evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated.
Obtain pre and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and perform vascular access evaluation.
Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD).
Evaluate and intervene for intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed.
Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy.
Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion, perform discontinuation procedures, and evaluate patient prior to discharge.
Calculate and program dialysis machine settings for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Record accurate and timely treatment data, including vital signs and treatment parameters.
Document information related to patient treatment, including progress notes.
Report significant information or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks, reporting any unusual findings.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patients' response.
Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, provide intervention, and report findings.
Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectants.
Prepare, organize, and utilize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of RN and assist as applicable.
Participate in the recruitment process for new clinical staff.
Assist with clinical orientation and on-going training of direct patient care personnel and all facility staff.
Function as a preceptor in direct patient care training to support quality patient care.
Deliver and maintain on-going competency evaluations/audits for other PCTs.
Collaborate with the Clinical Manager and Education Coordinator in driving quality standards through education regarding ESRD regulatory and legal requirements and CQI.
Assist in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
Provide developmental support to applicable clinical and facility staff.
Partner with RN and IDT staff to educate personnel regarding the integrity and safety of facility water systems.
Partner with RN and IDT staff to educate personnel regarding the maintenance of environmental integrity, including patient and staff safety.
Ensure strong communication between Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, direct patient care staff, and support staff regarding training and development programs.
Participate in implementing and potentially designing creative educational programs for PCT staff.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers and Education Coordinators in scheduling and implementing training programs.
Monitor processes in patient care delivery through regular CQI activities.
Ensure all organization business policies, procedures, and systems are incorporated into training, including compliance with ethical business practices.
Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics, ensuring all areas are safe and clean.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Perform all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate.
Perform all required pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing.
Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
Complete and document ongoing participation in CQI activities.
Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and timely.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures, and correct omitted entries.
Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork.
Prepare/print lab requisitions and collect, label, prepare, and store lab samples.
Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.
Assist with facility QAI infection control audits.
Act as a change agent for infection control practices within the clinic.
Monitor staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
Reinforce new hire employee adherence to infection control Policies and Procedures.
Support ongoing staff and patient engagement on infection control practices.
Reinforce patient and staff adherence to infection control Policies and Procedures through visual media.
Participate in education response to internal and external facility surveys.
Participate in and reinforce infection control education of patients and families.
Follow all newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care related matters for new patients.
Liaise with appropriate FKC staff members to provide the best patient experience.
Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and how it can work for them.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
Assist with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.