Shift: Full-time, M-F, Days 7:00am - 3:30pm, On-site.
- This position is on-call outside of normal business hours for emergency response.
- Requires monthly travel to Burien and/or Renton to attend team meetings and trainings.
- Requires infrequent travel to support other NKC clinics on an as-needed basis
- This position requires additional training upon hire and includes an Education Agreement
Purpose
This role is primarily responsible for overseeing the water treatment systems, concentrate preparation/delivery systems, and designated equipment at assigned units within NKC. The position works closely with the Clinical Manager and Medical Director and reports to the Assistant Director of Clinical Support Services.
Duties
-
The individual in this role is accountable for managing the water treatment systems and program according to NKC standards, policies, and procedures, as well as CMS Conditions for Coverage and equipment O&M manuals at their assigned unit(s). This responsibility encompasses tasks such as maintenance (including water checks/testing, brine tank monitoring, disinfections, filter changes, and backwashing), monitoring (including BET/CC testing, AAMI water testing, water testing, and log sheet review), repairs (when necessary), and documentation (completing various log sheets and work orders).
-
Responsible for the preparation and delivery systems for concentrates in accordance with NKC standards/policies/procedures, CMS Conditions for Coverage, and equipment O&M manuals at designated unit(s). This entails performing maintenance tasks, such as cleaning and caring for equipment, replacing acid mixer filters, and calibrating acid storage tank level sensors, as well as monitoring activities such as BET/CC testing and specific gravity checks. Additionally, responsible for conducting repairs when necessary and documenting all activities through the Granuflo Batch Production Record and work orders.
-
Accountable for supervising, managing, and maintaining inline chlorine systems. This entails efficiently conducting routine and scheduled maintenance tasks, effectively troubleshooting, and resolving errors or alarms, diligently monitoring chlorine-related data, and promptly reporting findings to the designated medical director.
-
Responsible for maintaining a comprehensive understanding of current federal, state, and local regulations, including the CMS Conditions for Coverage for facilities providing End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) services.
-
This role involves providing support in the coordination, implementation, and commencement of a new or enhanced NKC facility. The individual in this position will be assigned specific responsibilities related to water treatment and concentrate preparation/delivery.
-
Prepares for and attends the monthly Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) meeting to discuss water treatment and concentrate preparation safety.
-
Attends and actively engages in the weekly Functional Support Services (FSS) huddles and monthly staff meetings.
-
Consistently rotates through the on-call schedule. Furthermore, during times of absence such as vacation or illness, will be responsible for assuming additional FSS duties.
-
Assists in providing training and guidance to new FSS staff members.
-
Conducts training and orientation for RN/LPN/DT staff on their duties and obligations in monitoring the water treatment systems each day the facility operates. Ensures competency assessments are conducted on designated staff at least once a year. Maintains documentation pertaining to these competencies.
-
Promptly reports any unsafe activities or concerns related to the water treatment systems by staff members to the unit Manager/Clinical Director and, if needed, the Medical Director. This includes any difficulties in scheduling RN/LPN competency assessments.
-
Trains clinical staff on the acid delivery system and provides documentation of the training. Also provides guidance on actions to be taken when the system malfunctions.
-
Documents and follows up on incidents related to water, concentrate, and equipment at assigned units according to NKC protocol.
-
Maintains designated daily unit log sheets, including RO/Chlorine/Timer, emergency equipment checks, glucometer, and medication refrigerator. Informs the Clinical Manager and/or Medical Director of any documentation issues with water-related log sheets.
-
Takes responsibility for ordering water treatment, concentrate, and oxygen supplies, and ensuring proper inventory control within the unit(s).
-
Performs monthly inspections on the fire extinguishers within the facility and arranges for annual inspections to be conducted by an external vendor.
-
Conducts quarterly fire drills and provides documentation of occurrence specifics, participants, and any actionable items for improvements.
-
Reports any issues with patient treatment chairs to the ADCSS and conducts minor repairs when possible.
-
Performs annual visual inspections to ensure electrical safety compliance of designated equipment throughout the facility, including medication refrigerators, ice machines, clocks, radios, pencil sharpeners in the clinical area, and other miscellaneous electrical equipment in the clinical area such as Home Training/PD rooms and the staff lounge. It should be noted that TVs and computers are not checked by the Fire Safety Specialist (FSS).
-
Responsible for conducting scheduled preventive maintenance checks on the backup generator and maintaining accurate documentation for each check.
-
Conducts weekly inspections of the eyewash and drench shower stations, with appropriate documentation kept for record-keeping purposes.
-
Maintains the facility's emergency supplies, including black boxes, food, water, clamp, and disconnect cards.
-
Conducts the monthly audit check of emergency supplies and maintains appropriate documentation.
-
Serves as the point of contact between the facility and vendors for issues or concerns related to housekeeping, lab coats/linens, and hazardous waste.
-
Assists in coordinating product recalls and addressing product complaints at the facility level.
-
Provides support to the Plant Operations Department in managing the physical facility, including winter services, ice melt spreading, and snow shoveling.
-
Coordinates special unit purchases through the NKC Purchasing Department.
-
Displays professionalism and employs appropriate communication when interacting with NKC staff, patients, physicians, and external vendors.
-
Executes additional tasks as directed by the ADCSS.
Requirements
The ideal candidate for the position of FSS should possess a level of training that is equivalent to a high school graduate. Additionally, they should demonstrate proficiency or experience in various areas such as mathematics, physical sciences, life sciences, chemistry, physics, and electronics. Preferred qualifications include an AA degree and prior dialysis experience. Alternatively, the ability to complete the Basic Dialysis Academy patient care training program and the FSS curriculum successfully would also be considered.
Benefit offerings for eligible employees (.6-1.0 FTE):
-
Choice of 3 medical insurance plans: Premera Blue Cross (HDHP, Low Option PPO, High Option PPO)
-
Delta Dental & Vision Services Plan
-
401 Retirement Plan, Employer Match dollar for dollar up to 4% of your wages and an additional 1% Discretionary Match
-
Disability benefits: Short-term & Long-term Plans
-
Life & AD&D Plans
-
Tuition Reimbursement of up to $4,000 annually
-
Employee Assistance Program
-
Employee Scholarship Program
-
Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts
-
100% employer subsidized Commute/Transit Benefits available
-
Paid Time Off (PTO) includes personal time off and holidays. Employees may earn up to 192 hours of PTO in their first year.
-
Paid Sick Time (PST) - Employees will earn 1 hour for every 30 eligible hours of work.
Founded in 1962 as the world’s first outpatient dialysis provider, Northwest Kidney Centers operates 19 dialysis clinics across the Puget Sound region in addition to hospital-based services and a large home-based dialysis program. We are a not-for-profit, community-based organization and consistently rank among the top dialysis providers in the United States in quality of care, patient outcomes and transplant rates.
At Northwest Kidney Centers, teamwork, integrity, respect, excellence and stewardship guide our approach to how we work. We differentiate ourselves by our patient centered approach and active commitment to advancing kidney research and dialysis innovation. Key to our success is the compassion and expertise of our dedicated team of staff that care for those we serve.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Northwest Kidney Center is an equal employment opportunity employer. Every employee has the right to work in surroundings that are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. NKC will not engage in or tolerate any discrimination in the workplace prohibited by local, state, or federal law. Specifically, no employee will be discriminated against on the basis of their race (including physical characteristics historically associated with race, such as hairstyle or hair type), sex/gender, religion/creed, pregnancy, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, genetics/genetic markers, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Preboarding Requirements:
At Northwest Kidney Centers, we are committed to maintaining a safe work environment for all employees and patients. As part of our hiring process, we conduct pre-employment background checks, drug screenings (we do not test for THC), and employee health screenings. Employment with NKC is contingent upon successful completion of these requirements.
These checks ensure we are following regulatory requirements and uphold our standards of safety, excellence, stewardship, and integrity. We value transparency and respect your privacy; any information obtained during these screenings will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. Should you have any questions regarding this process, please feel free to reach out to our People Team.
Please note:
To protect our vulnerable patient population and our workforce, NKC strongly encourages all staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
