Acute Inpatient Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Louisville, KY

About The Position

Functions as part of the hemodialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy to assigned patients in an acute setting. Work is performed under the supervision of an FKC RN and in accordance with company policies, procedures, training, and applicable state and federal regulations. The position supports a safe, clean care environment and quality improvement activities, and provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including preparation, monitoring, documentation, and discontinuation of treatment. The role requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to meetings may also be required. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise levels, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Duties involve frequent, prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation. With assistance or equipment, the employee may occasionally move machines and equipment weighing up to 200 pounds and lift chemical or water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds to a height of five feet.

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 perform duties involving frequent and prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally assist with moving machines and equipment weighing up to 200 pounds and lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds to a height of five feet.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care for 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) and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement.
Promote and assist in meeting Total Area Productivity 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 and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Perform vascular access cannulation and report difficulties or unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, sodium modeling, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including narrow venous limits (NVL 160).
Record accurate and timely vital signs and treatment parameters on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification.
Initiate renal replacement treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow rates or 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 or directed by the FMCNA RN; monitor and report the patient's response to therapy and unusual findings.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform the functions needed to discontinue treatment, including documentation.
Report changes or unusual findings to the FMCNA RN; perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patient responses.
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.
Evaluate patients before termination of venous access, obtain standing and sitting blood pressures, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate patients 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.