Patient Care Technician 1

Fresenius Medical Care•Cadiz, KY

About The Position

Functions as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The position is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities that support patient satisfaction and the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) goals. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors patients and equipment, responds to treatment issues as directed, and documents care. The role also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining infection control, supporting patient education, and assisting with staff training under a nurse’s supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports understanding of home dialysis options, and assists with treatment setup and supply management. The work involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, frequent standing and bending, and regular lifting or moving of patients and supplies. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable 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 the organization’s 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.
Ability to 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 direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access under appropriate direction.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, and intervene as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform the tasks required to discontinue treatment according to established procedures.
Assess patients before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, vital signs, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in required records and systems.
Report significant information, changes in condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and facility procedures.
Prepare and organize 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 a nurse’s supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and training requirements.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document tasks as required, perform pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by the appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for appropriate placement in the chart.
Prepare or print laboratory requisitions and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under direction 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 matters for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with coordination of transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatment on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.