Kathryn Fortenberry
Fresenius Medical Care West
SHREVEPORT,LA
1
Certification
9
years of professional experience
Dedicated Dialysis Technician experienced in hemodialysis procedures, patient education, and infection control. Enhanced patient comfort and safety through meticulous documentation and effective teamwork. Delivered optimal patient outcomes by applying hands-on experience in dialysis procedures and equipment maintenance.
Work History
Dialysis Technician
8 Years 11 Months- Monitored vital signs and adjusted treatment plans based on individual patient responses.
- Operated dialysis machines, ensuring accurate treatments and patient comfort.
- Maintained sterile environment by following infection control protocols and best practices.
- Educated patients on home care practices and dietary restrictions for optimal health outcomes.
- Assisted in training new technicians, fostering teamwork and knowledge sharing.
- Led quality assurance initiatives, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and guidelines.
- Measured and recorded patients' pre-dialysis and post-dialysis vital statistics.
- Implemented process improvements to enhance operational efficiency and patient satisfaction.
- Monitored patient vital signs during procedures, identifying potential complications and alerting nursing staff promptly.
- Developed and maintained accurate patient records using electronic health record systems for improved information sharing.
- Conducted regular equipment inspections, troubleshooting issues to ensure operational readiness and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Led educational sessions for staff on emerging dialysis technologies, fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.
- Cleaned and connected fistulas, grafts and catheters to prevent infection.
- Set up equipment for dialysis and primed dialyzer in preparation for use.
- Started and ended reverse osmosis water systems and completed water quality monitoring tests.
- Performed routine quality control and safety checks on all equipment.
- Explained dialysis procedures to patients and answered questions and concerns prior to starting dialysis.
- Monitored patients throughout the dialysis process, quickly identifying and addressing any complications or concerns.
- Performed vascular access site assessments prior to each treatment session, reducing potential risks associated with needle placement.
- Completed timely preventative maintenance tasks on dialysis machines, contributing to the overall reliability and longevity of equipment.
- Enhanced patient comfort during dialysis procedures through attentive care and proper positioning.
- Cleaned and disinfected hemodialysis machines, chairs, trays, room and equipment.
- Provided in-patient care for 80 dialysis patients simultaneously focusing on providing clean, safe, and comfortable treatment environment.
- Recorded client data on hemodialysis flow chart.
- Maintained a clean and safe environment for patients, adhering to strict infection control protocols.
- Expedited troubleshooting processes during equipment malfunctions, minimizing downtime and ensuring prompt resumption of treatments.
- Followed directions when mixing dialysate and priming dialyzer with saline or heparinized solutions.
- Cared for patients by providing personal assistance and ambulation.
Education
No Degree - Nursing
- Professional Development: Nursing
- Phlebotomy
- CCHT
- IV Certified
Skills
Hemodialysis procedures
Access flow manager
Patient care
Direct patient care
Access flow management
Safety monitoring
Infection control standards
Documentation accuracy
Patient education
Health education
Alarm response
Critical thinking
Certification
- CCHT - Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician
- Phlebotomy Certified
- BLS
Timeline
Dialysis Technician
Fresenius Medical Care West
08.2017 - CurrentRead More
NSU
No Degree from Nursing
Read More