Patient Care Technician- PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Spokane, WA

8d•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 maintaining a safe and clean working environment. Supports the organization's commitment to quality improvement activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement.

Requirements

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, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated.
Obtain vital signs and weight before and after treatment.
Initiate and monitor dialysis treatments, including programming machine settings for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Evaluate and intervene for intradialytic problems as prescribed.
Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy and evaluate prior to discharge.
Perform and document pre and post dialysis evaluations, weight, and vital signs.
Ensure safety alarms are enabled on dialysis machines.
Record accurate and timely treatment data on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes.
Report significant patient changes or findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Conduct machine safety checks and report any issues.
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 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.
Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics, ensuring all areas are safe and clean.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas.
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 proper documentation.
Prepare initial patient charts 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.
Participate in and reinforce infection control education for patients and families.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care related to new patients.
Liaise with FKC staff to ensure optimal patient experience and scheduling of disciplines.
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 the TCU.