Patient Care Technician - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Leonardtown, MD

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. This role is responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines, assisting in the maintenance of a safe and clean working environment, and supporting the organization's commitment to quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities. The position also involves patient education, monitoring patient response to dialysis, and accurate documentation of treatment parameters and patient status.

Requirements

High School diploma or its equivalent required.
Must have a valid PCT national certification or state specific certification as defined by Center for Medicaid/Medicare (CMS).
All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
Attendance and active participation in all applicable preceptor training programs.
Attends Fresenius and publicly offered skill-based training as assigned by Clinical Manager.
At least five years patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred.
Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organization dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.
Employees are required to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment.
The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community.
Travel to regional, Business Unit and Corporate meetings may be required.
The position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation.
This position requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and the employee must be able to bend over.
The employee may occasionally be required to push and/or pull equipment, exerting up to 15 pounds of force.
The employee may be required to lift and to lower solutions on a frequent basis of up to 30 lbs., and on an occasional lift basis up to 40 lbs., as high as 5 feet.

Nice To Haves

5 years of Dialysis Experience is Required

Responsibilities

Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding dialysis adequacy measures and disease process.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated.
Obtain pre and post-treatment vital signs and weight.
Initiate and monitor dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders.
Evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems.
Discontinue dialysis treatments according to established procedures and obtain hemostasis.
Calculate and program dialysis machine settings for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Record accurate and timely treatment data on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet.
Document information related to patient treatment, including progress notes.
Report significant changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Conduct machine safety checks and report any unusual findings.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and their response.
Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment and report findings.
Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectants.
Prepare, organize, and utilize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care and assist as applicable.
Participate in the recruitment process for new clinical staff.
Assist with clinical orientation and ongoing training of direct patient care personnel.
Function as a preceptor in direct patient care training.
Deliver and maintain ongoing competency evaluations/audits for other PCTs.
Collaborate with Clinical Manager and Education Coordinator on quality standards and regulatory requirements.
Assist in training of direct patient care staff on appropriate programs.
Provide developmental support to clinical and facility staff.
Educate personnel regarding the integrity and safety of facility water systems.
Educate personnel regarding the maintenance of environmental integrity and patient/staff safety.
Ensure strong communication regarding training and development programs.
Participate in implementing and designing educational programs for PCT staff.
Collaborate in scheduling and implementing training programs.
Monitor processes in patient care delivery through CQI activities.
Ensure all business policies and procedures are incorporated into training.
Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics, ensuring areas are safe and clean.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Perform preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate.
Perform required pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing.
Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
Complete and document ongoing participation in CQI activities.
Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and timely.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures.
Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork.
Prepare/print lab requisitions and collect, label, prepare, and store lab samples.
Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.
Assist with facility QAI infection control audits.
Act as a change agent for infection control practices within the clinic.
Monitor staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
Reinforce new hire employee adherence to infection control policies and procedures.
Support staff and patient engagement on infection control practices.
Reinforce patient and staff adherence to infection control policies and procedures through visual media.
Participate in education response to internal and external facility surveys.
Participate in and reinforce infection control education of patients and families.
Follow all newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care related matters for new patients.
Liaise with appropriate FKC staff members to provide the best patient experience.
Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
Assist with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.