At Houston Methodist, the Dialysis Technician position is responsible for providing technical support to the nursing staff by performing hemodialysis machine set-up, tear down, and safety checks. This position monitors water system and maintains inventory of supplies. The Dialysis Technician position performs the necessary tasks to deliver a safe and efficient dialysis for end-stage renal disease patients under the supervision of a licensed nurse. This position demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to communicate appropriately and carry out delegated level tasks for assigned age-specific, diverse patient population, assisting in the delivery of patient care and services. The Dialysis Technician position practices Patient and Family Centered Care.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment with the interprofessional care team. Participates in teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance. Works well with others and conducts clear and professional problem resolution. Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles.

• Communicates with Bio Med regarding equipment problems and water treatment problems. Completes Service Request when needed on Intranet for equipment problems.

• Actively participates in making recommendations for improving working relationships in the department. Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee satisfaction, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides assistance to patients with various tasks, e.g. meal trays, moving patients from stretcher/wheelchair, weighing patients, taking temperatures, turning patients, etc.

• Monitors treated water system and performs daily chloramine testing, documenting results accordingly.

• Assists at shift turnaround by cleaning the dialysis machines externally, setting up dialyzer, and preparing patient station for next patient. Completes preparations including making bed, emptying trash and general tidying up of the patient stations.

• Contributes towards improving department scores for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard through peer-to-peer accountability.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Follows manufacturer recommended cleaning and rinsing procedures on all hemodialysis machines.

• Responds promptly to machine alarm situations and performs corrective actions. Reports machine related problems to facility/maintenance personnel.

• Practices strict blood and body fluid precautions as established in OSHA standards. Follows personal safety practices by wearing appropriate PPE at all times when possible contact with blood, body fluids or chemicals may occur. Reports near misses and collaborates with the interprofessional health care team to improve patient safety.

• Contributes towards improving quality and safety scores on the department scorecard, through peer-to-peer accountability. Supports initiatives to prevent conditions such as pressure injuries, patient falls, and hospital-acquired infections.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Stocks supplies and maintains inventory control. Maintains storage and supply areas in an orderly fashion. Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies.

• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and shared governance activities.

• Seeks guidance and validation of knowledge base, skill level and decision making as necessary, especially in areas of question, from preceptor and assigned licensed personnel. Completes and updates the My Development plan on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Six months health care experience

• One year dialysis experience preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Ability to build and sustain interpersonal relationships

• Demonstrates a working knowledge of isolation, infection control and safety procedures. Practices universal precautions at all times when assisting patients

• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including but not limited to organizing workflows and actively participating in problem solving

• Demonstrates ability to access information both in the department and within the hospital system to support the department and interprofessional health care team as appropriate

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.