Job Description

UC Health is hiring a Part Time Dialysis Technician for the Hemodialysis unit for varied shifts at West Chester Hospital.

Dialysis technicians collaborate with RNs to provide dialysis treatment and maintain the functionality of the department. This involves prepping and testing equipment, reviewing treatment orders, and opening and preparing the department. Technicians evaluate patients prior to the dialysis being performed; this includes taking blood pressure, weight, temperature, and pulse. Assist the professional staff with the delivery of patient care in the dialysis unit.  In addition, this position is responsible for inventory control, basic machine care/tasks and order entry into computerized systems.

About West Chester Hospital

West Chester Hospital provides its patients with access to the region’s largest group of specialized physicians and medical providers. With a reputation for providing outstanding patient experiences and quality medical care, the hospital consistently ranks amongst the top 5% in the nation.

West Chester Hospital provides a Level III Trauma Center that delivers superior emergency and critical care, and a certified Primary Stroke Center that provides access to the subspecialty care at the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute. West Chester Hospital has also achieved Magnet Recognition for excellence in nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Center® (ANCC), and the hospital is routinely ranked among the best places to work in Ohio and Greater Cincinnati.

Unit Details

• Work with a strong culture and teamwork mindset.

• Team enjoys helping each other grow in their roles and nursing career.

• Great learning opportunities and diversifying skillsets with patient needs.

Benefits Details:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Employee Paid Short- and Long-Term Disability

• 401K

• Tuition Reimbursement Opportunities

• Community Discounts

Patient Population:

• Engages in population appropriate communication.

• Has knowledge of growth and development milestones and tasks.

• Gives clear instructions to patients/family regarding treatment.

• Involves family/guardian in the assessment, initial treatment and continuing care of the patient.

• Identifies any physical limitations of the patient and deploys intervention when necessary.

• Recognizes and responds appropriately to patients/families with behavioral health problems.

• Interprets population related data and plans care appropriately.

• Identifies and responds appropriately to different needs resulting from, unique psychological needs or those associated with religious / cultural norms.

• Performs treatments, administers medication or operates equipment safely.

• Recognizes and responds to signs/symptoms of abuse or neglect.

Performs selected aspects of patient care as assigned or directed:

• Evaluate vascular access for patency and report any unusual findings to nurse supervisor.

• Obtain necessary pre and post treatment vital signs and weight.

• Report unusual findings to nurse supervisor.

• Perform vascular access evaluation pre-treatment and report unusual findings to nurse supervisor.

• Perform vascular access cannulation and report any difficulties in cannulation or unusual findings to nurse supervisor.

• Perform administration of Heparin as delegated or as allowed by state law.

• 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 and report any unusual findings to nurse supervisor.

• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion; perform all relevant functions necessary for the discontinuation of treatment - document.

• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures,

• Evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access - standing & sitting blood pressure. · Obtain Hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.

• Evaluate the patient for prior to discharge and report any unusual findings to nurse supervisor.

• 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; Sodium (Na) modeling; and UF modeling as prescribed.

• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.

• Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters onto the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification.

Environment and Safety

• Responsible for ensuring appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL).

• Responsible for accurate documentation of information related to patient treatment including completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and, if applicable, progress notes.

• Report any significant information and/or change in patient condition directly to the nurse supervisor.
• Observe patient, and conduct machine safety checks according to policy. Report any change or unusual findings to the nurse supervisor.
• 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 nurse supervisor.
• Responsible for collection and designating transportation of all water quality tests.
• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics - ensure all areas are safe and clean.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surface, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments according to policy.
• Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate.
• Perform all required pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT).
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
• 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.

Inventory control, patient scheduling and computer order entry:

• Order all supplies and maintains inventory for dialysis, aphaeresis and interventional Nephrology in Lawson, Corporate Express, Owens and Minor, ABC warehouse, and pharmacy storeroom. Preparation of transfer packet (medical record) for transfer of chronic outpatients to community units.
• Initiates and processes 2728 End Stage Renal Disease Renal Evidence forms for chronic outpatients. Schedules patients for clinic appointments, procedures and community transportation.
• Maintains hemodialysis machine and water quality records. 
• Communicates with Clinical Engineering to correct any problems.
• Basic order entry in Lastword and data entry in HII TIME documentation system.
• Enters daily procedure and supply charges in Lastword in the absence of the biller.
• Maintains positive customer relations with physicians, visitors, patients and others.
• Customers are addressed pleasantly and respectfully. 
• Offers assistance in concise, informative manner, keep a courteous and positive tone.
• Facilitates patient/family orientation by explanation of visitor policy, family waiting area, treatment restrictions and HIPAA regulations.
• Attends unit meetings 10/12 times/year. Attends required in-services and educational opportunities.

Age Specific

• Demonstrates knowledge and skill necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served (adult and geriatric population).

Education and Experience Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED, Minimum Required

• Current Ohio Dialysis Technician Certification through Ohio Board of Nursing, or able to transfer Current State Certification to Ohio prior to first day of employment.

• 1-2 years of equivalent experience is required.

• 3-5 years of equivalent experience is preferred.

• BLS Certification

Required Skills and Knowledge:

• Basic computer skills.

• Basic patient care skills at level of nursing assistant.

• Knowledge of Patient Care Systems preferred. Knowledge of the following systems:  Lastword, Clinical Vision, Access Anywhere, Lawson, CMS Vision (ESRD Program), Microsoft Word and Excel and VIP Patient Tracking.

Join our team as a Dialysis Technician in our Hemodialysis unit and work alongside the best and brightest clinical teams collaborating toward our common purpose: to advance healing and reduce suffering.

Join our team to BE UC Health. Be Extraordinary. Be Supported. Be Hope. Apply Today!

About UC Health

UC Health is an integrated academic health system serving Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. In partnership with the University of Cincinnati, UC Health combines clinical expertise and compassion with research and teaching—a combination that provides patients with options for even the most complex situations. Members of UC Health include: UC Medical Center, West Chester Hospital, Daniel Drake Center for Post-Acute Care, Bridgeway Pointe Assisted Living, University of Cincinnati Physicians and UC Health Ambulatory Services (with more than 900 board-certified clinicians and surgeons), Lindner Center of HOPE and several specialized institutes including: UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. Many UC Health locations have received national recognition for outstanding quality and patient satisfaction. Learn more at uchealth.com.

At UC Health, we're proud to have the best and brightest teams and clinicians collaborating toward our common purpose: to advance healing and reduce suffering.

As the region's adult academic health system, we strive for innovation and provide world-class care for not only our community, but patients from all over the world. Join our team and you'll be able to develop your skills, grow your career, build relationships with your peers and patients, and help us be a source of hope for our friends and neighbors.

UC Health is an EEO employer.