Acute Inpatient Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Memphis, TN

About The Position

Functions as part of the hemodialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy to assigned patients in an acute setting. Works under the supervision of the FKC RN and follows FMCNA policies, procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The role supports a safe and clean work environment and participates in quality and process-improvement activities. With documented competency and proficiency, the technician may set up and prime equipment for renal replacement therapies as directed by the Fresenius Nurse. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, obtains and records vital signs and weights, performs cannulation, programs dialysis machines as prescribed, initiates and discontinues treatment, collects specimens, and responds to treatment-related concerns under prescribed orders or RN direction. The position includes direct patient care and travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. The work environment is a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur.

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 direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally assist in moving machines and equipment weighing up to 200 lbs. and lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 lbs. as high as 5 feet; assistance devices or coworkers may be available.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care for assigned patients in the acute setting under the supervision of the FKC RN.
Promote and assist in maintaining 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 goals (TAP).
Set up and prime equipment for hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement, or peritoneal dialysis therapies when competency and proficiency are documented and as directed by the Fresenius Nurse.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their well-being since their last treatment; report complaints or 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 difficulties or unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including 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 rate and dialysate flow rate, 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 by physician order or directed by the FMCNA RN; monitor and report patient responses and unusual findings.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform the functions necessary to discontinue treatment, including documentation.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patient responses.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures; provide appropriate intervention, 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.