Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Battle Creek, MI

9d•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. Responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines and assisting in maintaining a safe and clean working environment. Supports the organization's commitment to Quality Enhancement Programs (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. This role involves direct patient care, including welcoming patients, evaluating vascular access, administering heparin, monitoring vital signs, initiating and discontinuing dialysis treatments, and managing patient responses to therapy. The technician is responsible for programming dialysis machines, ensuring safety alarms are enabled, and accurately documenting all treatment parameters and patient information. They also perform machine safety checks, clean equipment, prepare and collect laboratory specimens, and manage blood spills. Additionally, the role includes participating in staff recruitment and training, acting as a preceptor, and conducting competency evaluations. The technician collaborates with nurses and other staff on patient education, water system integrity, and environmental safety. They are involved in implementing and designing educational programs for PCT staff and monitoring quality improvement activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforcing education, coordinating care, and assisting with understanding home dialysis options and peritoneal dialysis setup.

Requirements

High School diploma or G.E.D. 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.
Successful completion of the organization dialysis training program.
Successful completion of CPR certification.
Ability to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment.
Ability to perform direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to frequently stand for prolonged periods.
Ability to bend over.
Ability to occasionally push and/or pull equipment, exerting up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to lift and 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

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines.
Assist in maintaining a safe and clean working environment.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their well-being.
Evaluate vascular access for patency and perform cannulation.
Administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain pre and post-treatment vital signs and weight.
Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders.
Evaluate and intervene for intradialytic problems as prescribed.
Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy.
Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion and discontinue treatment.
Evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access.
Obtain Hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate the patient prior to discharge.
Perform and record pre and post-dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs.
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 information on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet.
Document information related to patient treatment, including progress notes.
Report significant information and/or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patients' response.
Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment and provide appropriate intervention.
Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
Clean and disinfect blood spills immediately.
Prepare, organize, and utilize supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of RN.
Assist patients in performing self-care as applicable.
Participate in the recruitment process for new clinical staff.
Assist with clinical orientation and on-going training of direct patient care personnel.
Function as a preceptor in direct patient care training.
Deliver and maintain on-going competency evaluations/audits for other PCTs.
Collaborate with Clinical Manager and Education Coordinator on quality standards and education.
Assist in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs.
Provide developmental support to applicable clinical and facility staff.
Educate appropriate personnel regarding the integrity and safety of facility water systems.
Educate appropriate personnel regarding the maintenance of environmental integrity.
Ensure strong communication between Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, direct patient care staff, and support staff.
Participate in implementing and potentially designing creative educational programs for PCT staff.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers and Education Coordinators in scheduling and implementing training programs.
Monitor processes in the delivery of patient care through CQI activities.
Ensure all organization business policies and procedures are incorporated into training.
Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surface, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment.
Perform all 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 for prescribed or stat Lab specimens.
Collect, label, appropriately 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 ongoing 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 coordinating their transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce all education and care related matters as it relates to the new patient.
Liaise with appropriate FKC staff members to provide the best patient experience.
Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits.
Set and perform a treatment 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.