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 to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy to assigned patients in an acute setting. Patient care is provided under the supervision of the FKC RN and in accordance with FMCNA policies, procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician supports a safe and clean work environment and participates in quality and productivity initiatives. The role includes preparing and operating equipment for renal replacement therapies when competency is documented, monitoring patients before, during, and after treatment, recording treatment information, and responding to patient needs under prescribed orders or RN direction. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and work in a health care facility where 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 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Any state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
1–2 years of related experience.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending over.
Ability to lift and move patients and assist with ambulation; assistance from equipment or coworkers may be available.
Ability to occasionally help move machines and equipment weighing up to 200 lbs. and lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 lbs. as high as 5 feet.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various community locations; travel to meetings may be required.

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 and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement initiatives.
Promote and assist in meeting Total Area Productivity goals.
When documented competency and proficiency allow, set up and prime equipment for hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement, and peritoneal dialysis therapies as directed by the Fresenius Nurse.
Welcome assigned patients, ask about their well-being since their last treatment, and report complaints or 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 weight, 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 setting blood 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 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 the patient's response.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures; provide appropriate interventions, document, and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures.
Evaluate patients before termination of venous access, including standing and sitting blood pressures; obtain 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, weight, and vital signs with initial identification.
Perform other duties as required.