Acute Inpatient Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Louisville, KY

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Acute Inpatient Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the hemodialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy to assigned patients in acute-care settings. The role is performed under the supervision of the FKC RN and in accordance with Fresenius Medical Care policies, procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician supports a safe and clean work environment and participates in quality enhancement, patient satisfaction, performance improvement, and productivity initiatives. With documented competency and proficiency, the PCT may prepare equipment for renal replacement therapies. The role includes welcoming patients; assessing and reporting patient status and vascular access findings; obtaining and documenting weights and vital signs; cannulating vascular access; programming and initiating prescribed treatments; monitoring and responding to treatment issues as directed; collecting and delivering specimens; and discontinuing treatment. The technician evaluates patients before discharge, reports unusual findings to the FMCNA RN, and documents interventions and patient responses. The position involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. It includes direct patient care, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and equipment. The listed locations are Jewish Hospital, Mary & Elizabeth Hospital, University of Louisville Hospital, and South Hospital in the Louisville, Kentucky area.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS).
Any applicable 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, and to assist with patient lifting, moving, and ambulation.
Ability to occasionally assist with moving machines and equipment weighing up to 200 lbs. and lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 lbs. to heights of up to 5 feet; assistance devices or coworkers may be available.

Responsibilities

Provide assigned-patient care in the acute setting under the supervision of the FKC RN and support a safe, clean working environment.
Participate in the Quality Enhancement Program, quality assessment and performance improvement activities, patient-satisfaction efforts, process improvement, and Total Area Productivity goals.
When competent and proficient, set up and prime equipment for prescribed renal replacement therapies as directed by the Fresenius Nurse.
Welcome patients and ask about their well-being since their last treatment; report complaints and observations to the FMCNA RN.
Assess vascular access patency and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs; report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Cannulate vascular access and report cannulation difficulties or unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, sodium modeling, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including narrow venous limits (NVL 160).
Accurately and promptly document vital signs and treatment parameters on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification.
Initiate renal replacement treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow rates or peritoneal dialysis as prescribed by the attending nephrologist.
Collect and label specimens and ensure their 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 and unusual findings.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform and document functions necessary to discontinue treatment.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and record the patient’s response.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as appropriate, document, and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures.
Before terminating venous access, evaluate the patient, obtain standing and sitting blood pressures, achieve 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.