Acute Inpatient Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Dallas, TX

About The Position

The Acute Inpatient Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a hemodialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy to assigned patients. The position provides patient care in an acute setting under the supervision of an FKC RN and follows Fresenius Medical Care policies, procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT supports patients before, during, and after renal replacement therapy. Duties include assessing patients and vascular access, obtaining and recording weights and vital signs, preparing and operating dialysis equipment within documented competency, initiating and discontinuing prescribed treatments, monitoring patient response, addressing treatment issues as directed, and reporting unusual findings to the FMCNA RN. The role also involves specimen handling, treatment documentation, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality and productivity initiatives. The work takes place in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise. It involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians, travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community, and may require travel to meetings. The role may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials, frequent prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and occasional movement of equipment weighing up to 200 pounds or lifting chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds. Assistance and material-aid devices are available for heavier items.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS).
Any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
1–2 years of related experience.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient ambulation and movement, and lifting or moving patients and equipment.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care to assigned patients in the acute setting under the supervision of the FKC RN.
Promote and help maintain a safe and clean working environment.
Support the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities, patient satisfaction efforts, and process improvement activities.
Promote and assist in meeting Total Area Productivity (TAP) goals.
When competency and proficiency are documented, set up and prime equipment as directed by the Fresenius Nurse for hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement, and peritoneal dialysis therapies.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their well-being since their last treatment; report complaints and observations to the FMCNA RN.
Evaluate vascular access for patency and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Perform vascular access cannulation and report cannulation difficulties or unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, sodium modeling, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including narrow venous limits (NVL 160).
Accurately and promptly record vital signs and treatment parameters on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification.
Initiate renal replacement treatment according to prescribed orders, including setting blood flow and dialysate flow rates or providing peritoneal dialysis as prescribed by the attending nephrologist.
Collect and label specimens and ensure timely delivery to the laboratory according to facility policy.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed by physician order or directed by the FMCNA RN.
Monitor patient response to dialysis therapy and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform the functions needed to discontinue treatment and complete documentation.
Report changes or unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document the patient’s response.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures; intervene as appropriate, document, and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures.
Before termination of venous access, evaluate the patient and obtain standing and sitting blood pressures; obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate the patient before discharge and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Perform and record pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, weights, and vital signs with initial identification.
Perform other duties as required.