Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Palm Desert, CA

11d•$25 - $30

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulatory requirements. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted, obtains and documents vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatments, monitors patients’ responses, and reports changes or unusual findings to a nurse or supervisor. The role also includes machine safety checks, treatment programming, laboratory specimen handling, accurate clinical documentation, infection-control practices, and assistance with staff training. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, demonstrates treatment options as appropriate, and assists with equipment setup and supply inventory. The work involves patient interaction and direct care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and physical tasks including lifting, moving patients, standing, bending, and handling solutions and equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; assisting with patient lifting, movement, and ambulation; and frequently lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance devices or coworkers may be available.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Provide or reinforce patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, vascular access, infection control, and treatment options as permitted by state law and under appropriate supervision.
Evaluate vascular access for patency; perform cannulation and delegated heparin administration as allowed by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required patient identification and vascular-access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks, including pretreatment alarm testing and Pressure Holding Test procedures.
Monitor patients and treatment response; evaluate intradialytic problems, perform and document interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Monitor vascular access and arterial and venous pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection-control policies and procedures.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment; clean and disinfect the dialysis machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient-care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Document treatment information accurately and promptly in clinical applications and treatment sheets; review sheets for completeness and ensure missing entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and coordinate specimen collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education for staff, patients, and families as directed.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with coordination of transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.