Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT)

Supports mission, core values, expected behaviors and customer service philosophy. Adheres to all regulatory and policy and procedure requirements. Functions as a part of the hemodialysis health care team as a CCHT to ensure provision of quality patient care on a dialysis basis in accordance with policies, procedures and training. Supports the commitment to the Quality Enhancement program and CQI Activities including those related to patient satisfaction and actively participates in process improvement activities that enhances the likelihood that patients will achieve the Quality Enhancement Goals (QEP). Adheres to all requirements of the Compliances Program, and patient care and administrative policies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and/or RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Patient Care:
  • Responsible for driving the culture through values and customer services standards.
  • Accountable for outstanding customer service to all external and internal customers.
  • Develops and maintains effective relationships through effective and timely communication.
  • Takes initiative and action to respond, resolve, and follow up regarding customer services issues with all customers in a timely manner.
  • Assist other health care members in providing patient specific detailed education regarding adequacy measures where appropriate
  • Demonstrates ability to work with any patient or staff, regardless of race, gender disease process, life-style, religious or cultural beliefs, or treatment
  • Welcome assigned patients and inquire as to their wellbeing since their last treatment report any complaints or observations to the Nurse supervisor
  • 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 pretreatment and report unusual findings to nurse supervisor
  • Perform vascular access cannulation and report any difficulties in cannulation or unusual finding to nurse supervisor
  • Perform administration of heparin as delegated or as allowed by the state law
  • Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders including blood flow and dialysate flow
  • 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 and document
  • Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures
  • Evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access standing and sitting blood pressures
  • Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings
  • Evaluate the patient prior to discharge and report any unusual findings to nurse supervisor
  • Perform and record pre and post dialysis evaluation weigh
  • 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 pressure provide appropriate intervention as needed. Document and report any unusual findings to the nurse supervisor
• Maintenance & Technical
  • Responsible for calculating and entry of individual patients' dialysis machine programing for uf goal treatment time sodium modeling and uf modeling as ordered
  • Responsible for ensuring appropriate safety alarms are enabled
  • Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters including completion of hemodialysis treatment sheet with initial identification
  • 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 facility policy report any change or unusual findings to the nurse supervisor
  • Obtain all prescribed lab testing and prepare specimens for collection
  • 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 facility 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
  • Initiate solution delivery system
  • Ensure all blood spills are immediately cleaned with appropriate disinfectant according to facility policy
  • Prepare organize and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage
  • Keep all equipment in order
  • Maintains a safe environment for self, patients and staff by utilizing proper body mechanics and following universal infection control precautions and cleaning procedures under OSHA regulations
  • Prepare lab labels for ordered labs specimens and water specimens
  • Collect and label all specimens for lab tests
  • Spin, store and prepare for shipping
  • Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier
• Clerical & Administrative
  • Review treatment sheets for completeness ensure nursing signatures are documented and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected where appropriate
  • Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement in chart
  • Promotes, supports, and adheres to all policies outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Perform additional duties as assigned

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation.
• Ability to push, pull, mobilizes (with assistance of wheels, cars and other equipment) approximately 200 lbs.
• Talking and listening to communicate ideas or requirements to individual staff members.
• Visual acuity to prepare and read written material accurately.
• Audio acuity to listen attentively and accurately.
• Employee must be able to pass the Ishihara's Color Blindness test

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (G.E.D.)
• 2 years of dialysis training required
• Hemodialysis experience desirable

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, and/or REGISTRATIONS:

• Center for Medicaid Medicare services (CMS) approved state and or national certification required
• CCHT and State of Nebraska PCT requirements
• CPR certification required
• Valid Driver's License required
• Successful completion of training course in theory and practice of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and/or ABILITIES:

• Computer knowledge desirable.
• Employee must be dependable and reliable

Must pass background check, physical, and pre-employment drug screen.