Job Description

Job Summary
10/2020
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
oProvide 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.
oFocuses on patient/customer safety
oDelivers personalized service using HM Service Standards
oProvides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)
oIntentionally rounds with patients/customers to ensure their needs are being met
oInvolves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.

PEOPLE - 20%
1.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. (EF)
2.Communicates with Bio Med regarding equipment problems and water treatment problems. Completes Service Request when needed on Intranet for equipment problems. (EF)
3.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. (EF)

SERVICE - 30%
1.Provides assistance to patients with various tasks, e.g. meal trays, moving patients from stretcher/wheelchair, weighing patients, taking temperatures, turning patients, etc. (EF)
2.Monitors treated water system and performs daily chloramine testing, documenting results accordingly. (EF)
3.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. (EF)
4.Contributes towards improving department scores for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard through peer-to-peer accountability. (EF)

QUALITY/SAFETY - 30%
1.Follows manufacturer recommended cleaning and rinsing procedures on all hemodialysis machines. (EF)
2.Responds promptly to machine alarm situations and performs corrective actions. Reports machine related problems to facility/maintenance personnel. (EF)
3.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. (EF)
4.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. (EF)

FINANCE - 10%
1.Stocks supplies and maintains inventory control. Maintains storage and supply areas in an orderly fashion. Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. (EF)
2.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. (EF)

GROWTH/INNOVATION - 10%
1.Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and shared governance activities. (EF)
2.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. (EF)

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

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
oSix months health care experience
oOne-year dialysis experience preferred

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED
oAmerican Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
oDemonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
oSufficient 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
oAbility 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
oAbility to build and sustain interpersonal relationships
oDemonstrates a working knowledge of isolation, infection control and safety procedures. Practices universal precautions at all times when assisting patients
oAdapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including but not limited to organizing workflows and actively participating in problem solving
oDemonstrates 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 AttireYes/No
Uniform No
ScrubsYes
Business professionalNo
Other (dept approved) Yes

On-Call* No (for Non-Exempt or Exempt jobs)
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (i.e. Disaster, Severe Weather Event, etc.) regardless of selection above.

Travel**
May require travel within No
Houston Metropolitan area

May require travel outside No
of Houston Metropolitan area

**Travel specifications may vary by department.

Please note any other special considerations to this job: Exposure to hazardous substances including contaminated or potentially contaminated blood and body fluids, contaminated open wounds, radiation implants/x-rays, chemotherapeutic drugs, cleaning agents

Equal Employment Opportunity
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor priority referral Protected Veterans requested.

Company Profile
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. Houston Methodist is consistently ranked in U.S. News & World Reports Best Hospital list and was recently named the number one hospital in Texas. FORTUNE magazine has placed Houston Methodist on its annual list of 100 Best Companies To Work For since 2006. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 1,119 licensed beds, 67 operating rooms and over 6,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.