Acute Inpatient Care Technician

Purpose and Scope

Functions as part of the Inpatient Services Hemodialysis Health Care team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for assigned patients in accordance with FMCNA policies, procedures, and training and in compliance with regulations set forth by the corporation, state, and federal agencies.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides patient care under the direct supervision of the Hemodialysis Registered Nurse for assigned patients in the dialysis suite in the acute setting.
• Reports and documents all new and unusual incidents, information, complaints, or problems to the RN.
• Promotes and assists in maintaining a safe and clean working environment; supports Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities.
• With documented competency and proficiency, may set up and prime equipment for renal replacement therapies (hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement, and peritoneal dialysis therapies).
• Assures the dialysis machine has been set up, tested, and found safe for treatment per manufacturer instructions and company policy.
• Welcomes assigned patients and inquires as to their well-being since their last treatment; reports complaints or observations to the RN.
• Obtains pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight; reports unusual findings to the RN.
• Reports difficulties in cannulation or unusual findings to the RN as permitted by state requirements.
• Accurately documents patient treatment information in the individual patient record, including the hospital Electronic Medical System (EMS) and Acute Care Electronic System (ACES).
• Calculates and enters dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, sodium modeling, and UF modeling as prescribed.
• Ensures appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including narrow venous limits (NVL 160).
• Collects and labels specimens and ensures timely delivery to the laboratory per facility policy.
• Evaluates intradialytic problems and provides intervention as prescribed by physician order or directed by the RN; monitors patient response to dialysis therapy.
• Obtains vital signs prior to reinfusion and performs all relevant functions for discontinuation of treatment and documentation.
• Evaluates patient prior to termination of venous access, obtains hemostasis, applies appropriate dressings, and evaluates the patient prior to discharge.
• Reviews and complies with the Code of Business Conduct and all applicable company policies, procedures, and local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Assists with various projects as assigned by direct supervisor or supervising RN.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Day-to-day work includes personal computer work while standing and sitting, interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians.
• Requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community.
• 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.
• Provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation.
• Requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and the ability to bend over.
• May occasionally assist in moving machines and equipment up to 200 lbs and lift chemical and water solutions up to 30 lbs as high as 5 feet.

Supervision

None.