Patient Care Technician 1

Fresenius Medical Care•Clarksville, IN

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. Sets up and operates hemodialysis machines and helps maintain a safe, clean working environment. Supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including initiatives related to patient satisfaction and process improvement. Provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including patient assessment, vascular-access evaluation and cannulation, vital-sign and weight measurement, treatment initiation and discontinuation, monitoring, interventions, documentation, and discharge evaluation. Reports changes in patient condition or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor. Collects and prepares laboratory specimens and helps ensure accurate treatment records and clinical-system entries. Supports infection-control practices, facility cleanliness, equipment preparation and disinfection, and appropriate use of supplies. May assist with staff training under nurse supervision and monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care and treatment-option transitions, supports understanding of home dialysis, and assists with equipment and supply needs. The work includes desk and computer tasks as well as interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may also be required. The setting is a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The position involves regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing and bending, occasional pushing or pulling of equipment, and frequent lifting of solutions up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer-service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the stated physical demands, including patient lifting and movement, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting solutions.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient-care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist healthcare team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre-treatment vascular-access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and prescribed ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160.
Observe patients and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy; evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and monitor patient responses.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, evaluate patients before termination of venous access and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly, including completion of treatment sheets and applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures; intervene as appropriate, document, and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient-care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain safe and clean surroundings; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for treatments, document preparation where appropriate, complete required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare and print laboratory requisitions, and manage laboratory specimens through collection.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and how home dialysis may work for them; support understanding of treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with coordination of transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, and support supply ordering and inventory.