Dialysis Equipment Specialist - Hemodialysis - Rotating

To provide, in an expedient manner, properly functioning dialysis equipment by setting up, disinfecting, and ensuring operational readiness in alignment with Infection Prevention and Regulatory standards. Provides technical support of dialysis related equipment. Ensures quality control standards are achieved. Adheres to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) guidelines for dialysis equipment. Maintains appropriate documentation on preventive maintenance and repairs to equipment. Communicates, coordinates, and follows up on required preventive maintenance and repairs with Biomedical/Clinical Engineering, Plant Operations, and dialysis product/service vendors. Organizes, monitors, and maintains appropriate documentation for dialysis and unit equipment and dialysis supply inventory while precepting and educating staff.

Essential Job Statements

• Address all Infection Prevention measures required in dialysis water rooms and on all dialysis equipment per the manufacture instruction for use (IFUs) and/or guidelines while maintaining equipment location audits. 

• Triage all dialysis equipment with machine failures or unclearable alarms and perform minor repairs prior to escalating to Biomed for complex repairs; follow up on all equipment pulled from service until placed back into service. 

• Work with Biomed, Clinical Engineering, Plant Ops, and Safety to ensure water and dialysis equipment is in operational use for staff. Communicate awareness to staff on equipment needs and processes as needed. 

• Maintain documentation of all logs kept for monitoring infection and regulatory process on all dialysis equipment and be able to communicate/display documentation to VCU Interdisciplinary Teams, CMS, and TJC. Report documented data to Dialysis QAPI during monthly meetings. 

• Provide training on the dialysis water systems, dialysis machines, chillers, DI tanks, brine tanks, and other dialysis equipment on proper use per IFUs and emergency response measures. Provide assistance with annual training and competencies as needed. 

• Be a mentor and role model for the Dialysis Unit on and off the unit by being proactive in teamwork, efficiency, meeting unit needs, addressing equipment concerns with troubleshooting measures, and assisting in patient care activities as needed (cannulation, machine setup/breakdown, documentation, disinfecting, and transporting). 

• Perform weekly inventory of dialysis supplies with the ordering of specialty items weekly. Communicate with dialysis leadership issues with products and orders. 

• Give feedback to dialysis staff to promote growth. 

• Performs other duties as assigned and participates in special projects and completes in a timely fashion. 

Patient Population

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide equitable care appropriate to the age of the patients served on their assigned unit.  

Employment Qualifications 

Required Education: 

High School Graduate or GED 

Combination of education and experience will be considered in lieu of a degree. 

Preferred Education: 

Completion of state recognized CNA program OR Completion of first semester junior year in a BSN VCU/MCV BSN students: Completion of Sophomore year, Nursing 201, 202, 261. 

Associate degree and Diploma programs: completion of first year or a minimum of two semesters of basic nursing courses. 

Specialty areas, e.g. pediatrics, women’s health, psychiatry may require completion of a clinical rotation in that area, or 

Completion of medical assistant program. 

Licensure/Certification Required: 

Certification by the Board of Nephrology Examiners-Nursing Technology (BONENT) or the National Nephrology Certification Organization (NNCO) as a Dialysis Technician. 

BLS (Basic Life Support) 

Licensure/Certification Preferred: 

Level 1 Dialysis System Equipment (Biomedical Certification 2008 Series Hemodialysis Machine) – training required if not certified 

Minimum Qualifications 

Years and Type of Required Experience 

Minimum of 1 year  

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: 

Working knowledge of Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Joint Commission and American Associate of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) Standards. 

Age Specific groups served: 

Pediatric, Adolescence, Adult, Geriatric 

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred: 

Acute care experience as a nursing assistant or aide experience. 

Working Conditions

Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may oc