Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Palmyra, PA

1d•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 Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, actively participating in process improvement to enhance patient satisfaction and goal achievement.

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 as established by education leadership.
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.
Must be able to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures, disease process, and access.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated.
Obtain pre and post-treatment vital signs and weight.
Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders.
Evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed.
Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy.
Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion and discontinue dialysis treatment according to procedures.
Evaluate patient prior to discharge, including standing and sitting blood pressure.
Obtain Hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Perform and record pre and post dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs.
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.
Report any change or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patients' response.
Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, provide appropriate intervention, 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 to prevent wastage.
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 and facility staff.
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 in driving quality standards through education.
Assist in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs.
Provide developmental support to applicable clinical and facility staff.
Partner with RN and IDT staff to educate personnel regarding facility water systems integrity and safety.
Partner with RN and IDT staff to educate personnel regarding maintenance of environmental integrity, including patient and staff safety.
Ensure strong communication between Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, direct patient care staff, and support staff regarding training and development programs.
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 regular CQI activities.
Ensure all organization business policies and procedures are incorporated into training.
Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics - ensure all areas are safe and clean.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surface, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Perform all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate.
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, ensure nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected.
Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork.
Prepare/print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat Lab specimens.
Collect, label, prepare, and store lab samples according to laboratory specifications.
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, benefits of home, and how home dialysis can work for them.
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 the peritoneal dialysis set-up.
Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
Assist with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.