Acute Inpatient Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Indianapolis, IN

About The Position

Functions as part of the Inpatient Services Hemodialysis Health Care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy for assigned patients, following FMCNA policies, procedures, and training and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. Provides patient care under the direct supervision of a Hemodialysis Registered Nurse in an acute-care dialysis setting. With documented competency and proficiency, may set up and prime equipment for renal replacement therapies as directed by the Fresenius Nurse. The technician prepares and checks dialysis equipment for safe use, monitors patients before, during, and after treatment, documents treatment information in patient records and applicable electronic systems, and reports unusual findings or concerns to the FMCNA RN. The role also includes specimen handling, treatment setup and programming, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community and involves direct patient care in a healthcare facility environment.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

At least six months of experience in a related field, such as EMT, surgical technician, Army, phlebotomy, or technician work.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care to assigned patients in the acute dialysis setting under the direct supervision of a Hemodialysis Registered Nurse.
Report and document new or unusual incidents, information, complaints, problems, and patient findings to the RN.
Help maintain a safe and clean working environment and participate in Quality Enhancement Program and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement activities.
When competency and proficiency are documented, set up and prime equipment for hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement, and peritoneal dialysis therapies as directed by the Fresenius Nurse.
Set up and test dialysis machines to confirm they are safe for treatment according to manufacturer instructions and company policy and procedures.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their well-being since their last treatment; report complaints or observations to the FMCNA RN.
Obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Report cannulation difficulties as permitted by state requirements and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Accurately document patient treatment information in the patient record, including the hospital Electronic Medical System (EMS) and Acute Care Electronic System (ACES).
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).
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 as directed by the FMCNA RN; monitor patient response and report unusual findings.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform functions necessary for treatment discontinuation and documentation.
Before termination of venous access, assess the patient and obtain standing and sitting blood pressures; achieve hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Comply with the Code of Business Conduct, company policies and procedures, and applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Assist with projects assigned by the direct supervisor or supervising RN and perform other duties as assigned.