Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•River Forest, IL

15d•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 the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI Activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. This role involves direct patient care, including welcoming patients, evaluating vascular access, administering heparin, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and monitoring dialysis treatments, and discontinuing treatments according to established procedures. The technician is responsible for programming dialysis machines, ensuring safety alarms are enabled, and accurately documenting all treatment-related information. They also perform machine safety checks, clean equipment, prepare and organize supplies, and monitor patients performing self-care. Additionally, the role includes assisting in training other staff, maintaining environmental integrity, and participating in infection control practices. A specific focus is placed on transitional care, where the technician follows newly admitted patients for their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforcing education, coordinating care, and liaising with other staff to ensure the best patient experience. This includes assisting patients in understanding home dialysis options and demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup. The position requires adherence to all organizational policies, procedures, and ethical business practices, including compliance with CMS regulations and infection control protocols.

Requirements

Dialysis Certification is 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

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.
Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures.
Obtain Hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate the patient prior to discharge.
Calculate and enter individual patients’ dialysis machine programming for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters.
Document information related to patient treatment, including completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes.
Report significant information and/or change 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.
Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surface, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and perform 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 nursing signatures and omitted entries are completed or corrected.
Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork.
Prepare/print lab requisitions and collect, label, prepare, and store lab samples.
Assist in collecting information for infection control audits.
Support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
Participate in and reinforce infection control education of patients and families.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate their 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 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.