Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Houston, TX

7d•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 maintaining a safe and clean working environment, and supporting the organization's commitment to quality improvement activities. The technician will also play a role in patient education regarding their disease process and treatment adequacy.

Requirements

CCHT Required
High School diploma or G.E.D. required.
Must meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
Previous 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.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility

Responsibilities

Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding dialysis adequacy measures and disease process.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated.
Obtain pre and post-treatment vital signs, weight, and perform vascular access evaluation.
Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD).
Evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed.
Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy.
Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion, perform discontinuation procedures, and document.
Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures and evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access.
Obtain Hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate the patient prior to discharge.
Perform and document 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 treatment data on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes.
Report significant patient information or condition changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks, reporting any unusual findings.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patient response.
Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, provide intervention, document, and report findings.
Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare, organize, and utilize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
Assist in training of direct patient care staff under the supervision of a nurse.
Follow all organization business policies and procedures.
Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics, ensuring all areas are safe and clean.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Perform all required pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing.
Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and timely.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure proper documentation.
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 in collecting information for infection control audits.
Support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
Follow infection control policies and procedures.
Participate in and reinforce infection control education of patients and families.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional 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 peritoneal dialysis setup demonstration.
Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
Assist with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.