Job Details

Dialysis Care Specialist

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. Supports the organization commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI Activities, including those related to patient satisfaction and actively participates in process improvement activities that enhance the likelihood that patients will achieve the organization Quality Enhancement Goals (QEP).

Principal Duties And Responsibilities:

Patient Related:

• Assist other health care members in providing patient specific detailed education regarding adequacy measures where appropriate.
• Welcome assigned patients and inquire as to their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform vascular access cannulation, and perform administration of heparin as delegated or as allowed by state law.
• Obtain necessary pre and post treatment vital signs and weight and perform vascular access evaluation pre- treatment.
• Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD).
• Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide intervention as prescribed by physician order or as directed.
• Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy.
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion; perform all relevant functions necessary for the discontinuation of treatment - document.
• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures and evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access - standing & sitting blood pressure.
• Obtain Hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
• Evaluate the patient prior to discharge.
• Perform and record Pre and Post dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs with initial identification.
• Responsible for calculating and entry of individual patients' dialysis machine programming for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal; treatment time; and UF modeling as prescribed.
• Responsible for ensuring appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
• Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters onto the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification.
• Responsible for accurate documentation of information related to patient treatment.
• Report any significant information and/or change in patient condition directly to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
• Perform and document any intervention for unusual patient status and document patients' response to intervention.
• Evaluate patients' vascular access during treatment including arterial and venous monitoring pressures, provide appropriate intervention as needed, document and report any unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
• Ensure that all blood spills are immediately cleaned with appropriate disinfectant according to facility policy.
• Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.
• Monitors patients performing self-care under the supervision of RN.

Staff Related:

• Assists in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
• Follows all organization business policies, procedures and systems incorporated into training.
• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surface, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
• Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate.
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.

Record Keeping:

• Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
• Enters all treatment data into the designated clinical application.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness.
• Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement in chart.
• Prepare/print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat Lab specimens.
• Collect, label, appropriately prepare and store lab samples.
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.

Infection Control:

• Assists in collecting information for infection control audits.
• Supports staff and patient Adherence to infection control practices.
• Follows infection control Policies and Procedures.
• Participates in and reinforces infection control education of patients and families.

Transitional Care Unit:

• Follows all newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis.
• Reinforces all education and care related matters as it relates to the new patient.
• Liaisons with appropriate FKC staff members to provide the best patient experience.
• Assists in assuring patient understanding or home dialysis products.
• Sets and preforms a treatment on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
• Assists with coordination of transition to patient's modality choice.
• Assists with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.

Physical Demands And Working Conditions:

• Day to day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians.
• The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community.
• The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels.
• May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• The position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation.
• This position requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and the employee must be able to bend over.
• The employee may occasionally be required to push and/or pull equipment.
• The employee may be required to lift and to lower solutions on a frequent basis of up to 30 lbs.
• There is a two-person assist program and "material assist" devices for the heavier items.

Education And Licenses:

• High School diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Must meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements.
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.

Experience And Required Skills:

• Previous 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.

Acknowledgement:

I acknowledge that I have read and accepted this job description. I understand what is expected of me in this position, and I am able to perform the essential functions as outlined with or without reasonable accommodation. Furthermore, I understand that the duties and responsibilities listed in this job description are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. If I have any questions about duties and responsibilities not specified in this job description that I am asked to perform, I should discuss them with my immediate supervisor or my Human Resources representative.

Employee Name (Please Print) Employee Signature Date

Addendum:

Home Therapies Program (Not Home Assist):

• May assist HT RN on Home Visit as directed.
• Reinforces PD/HHD patient education under supervision of HT Registered Nurse.
• Schedules and contacts patients regarding appointments.
• Weigh patient and obtain vital signs.
• Collect patient's treatment records and review for completion.
• Cleaning and prepping treatment room; preparing charts prior to clinic visit.
• Preparing lab tubes and requisitions & assisting with lab draw days both pre and post draw.
• Clerical duties as assigned.
• Set-up of the home hemodialysis machine and PD Cycler.
• Assist with exit site care when directed by HT RN.
• Warm dialysate solution when directed by the HT RN.
• Obtain home hemodialysis water and dialysate samples and process for testing as directed by HT RN.
• Creates and sends patient reminders.
• Prepare initial patient chart for admission.
• Maintains logs as directed and applicable.
• Support patient registration and use of connected health.
• Provide