Description

Under the supervision of a RN, the Unit Technician works cooperatively with all team members in performing basic nursing care and general department support duties. The Unit Technician is accountable for all patient care he/she gives. The Unit Technician is responsible for adhering to all standards of care and for promoting teamwork among coworkers.

Core Competencies

Prepares Hemodialysis machines for daily use. Primes the hemodialysis machine and conducts all safety checks. Ensures machine is rinsed, disinfected and set up for patient care. Assists patients in ambulating. Assists with bathroom needs. Assists with diet. Collects specimens as instructed using appropriate technique. Documents vital signs throughout the dialysis procedure. Positions patients and changes position appropriately according to care plan instructions. Provides care as directed including but not limited to: monitors dialysis machine function throughout the procedure. Takes vital signs as directed and reports to RN. Applies and monitors oxygen. Applies restraints and managing combative patients/visitors. Applies physical pressure after line removal by RN or MD. Assists the RN with the following: answering telephone, patient call lights and pages promptly and relays message to appropriate person in a timely manner. Ensures bedrails are up on medicated patients. Records pulses. Applies EKG leads to patients and sets up monitors. Prepares patient for examinations and treatments. Sets up equipment and supplies for bedside procedures. Obtains blood and blood products from Blood Bank. Transports patients. Provides patient comfort and safety: ensures patient privacy keeps skin dry, clean, and reports any reddened areas ensures that comfort supplies are easily accessible, eg tissues, water, grooming supplies makes beds ensuring cleanliness and comfort monitors and ensures safety Demonstrates skill, knowledge, efficiency, and accuracy in independently performing responsibilities related to general care including but not limited to: transports patients throughout the hospital via stretcher, bed, and wheelchair transports patients to and from the unit. Provides health care services in own job category to the following age groups as applicable to job functions and as appropriate in regularly assigned clinical areas: Adulthood: 19 years - 45 years Middle Adult: 45 years - 59 years Late Adult: 60 years - 79 years 80 years > Reports any changes in patient condition to RN. Documents accurately in the patient record all activities. Documents accurately on machine records and patient care documents. Documents care provided and patient responses according to policies and procedures. Orients/instructs patient/family regarding the physical environment, routines and general rules: call system bed controls telephone television visitor policy diet bathroom smoking policy siderail policy roommate introduction Demonstrates competency in interpersonal relationships and providing health care services with the following age groups as applicable to job functions and as appropriate in regularly assigned clinical areas: Adulthood: 19 years - 45 years Middle Adult: 45 years - 59 years Late Adult: 60 years - 79 years 80 years > Maintains a safe working environment: ensures unit equipment accounted for and in good working order with support of Biomed Department, ensures beds are in low position and locked at all times, assists patients with moving/ambulating as needed, keeps room free of clutter, observes all safety guidelines, ensures corridor walkways are free of equipment/clutter (eg clean core), keeps hallway clear Adheres to infection prevention guidelines uses good hand washing technique adheres to isolation policy including Standard Precautions helps keep unit clean disposes of infectious waste properly cleans dialysis machines and patient care equipment as needed Initiates appropriate emergency measures for cardiac/respiratory arrest. Relays patient/family questions to RN. Answers the telephone and patient call system promptly and courteously and relays calls/messages to the appropriate person in a timely manner. Participates in code situations as directed (eg Code Blue, Orange, Green, Gray, Pink, and Red). Assists in maintaining a well functioning unit by: ordering appropriate supplies for patient care stocking patient care supplies placing charge documents in appropriate place removing broken equipment per policy assuring all equipment is in good working order including testing and calibrating accurately Performs testing, quality control and maintenance procedures. Inputs orders into the computer and copies charts as requested. Orients new personnel to unit, equipment and routines. Assists other team members by offering assistance to distribute the workload.