Acute Inpatient Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Dallas, TX

About The Position

Functions as part of the hemodialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy to assigned patients in the acute setting. Work is performed under the supervision of the FKC RN and in accordance with FMCNA policies, procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The role supports a safe, clean care environment and the company’s quality and productivity goals. With documented competency and proficiency, the technician may set up and prime equipment for renal replacement therapies as directed by a Fresenius Nurse. The technician welcomes and assesses patients, monitors vascular access and treatment response, obtains and records weights and vital signs, performs cannulation, programs and operates dialysis treatment equipment as prescribed, collects specimens, and reports unusual findings to the FMCNA RN. The role also includes carrying out prescribed interventions, documenting treatment and patient responses, discontinuing treatments according to established procedures, and evaluating patients before discharge. The work involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and other community locations, and possible travel to meetings. It includes frequent, prolonged standing and bending, as well as lifting and moving patients and equipment. Assistance from coworkers and equipment is available for heavier items.

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 position.
1–2 years of related experience.
Ability to perform direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally assist with moving machines and equipment weighing up to 200 lbs.; coworkers and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.
Ability to lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 lbs. to a height of up to 5 feet.

Responsibilities

Provide assigned patients with care under the supervision of the FKC RN in the acute setting.
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 competency and proficiency are documented, set up and prime equipment for prescribed renal replacement therapies as directed by the Fresenius Nurse.
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 pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, reporting 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 setting blood flow and dialysate flow rates, or administering 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 patient responses and unusual findings.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform and document functions required to discontinue treatment.
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; provide appropriate interventions, document, and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures.
Before terminating venous access, evaluate the patient and obtain standing and sitting blood pressures; achieve hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, and evaluate the patient before discharge, reporting 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.