Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Santa Ana, CA

7d•$25 - $29

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulatory requirements. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and outcomes. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, performs pre- and post-treatment assessments, obtains vital signs and weights, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis as prescribed, monitors treatment response, and documents treatment information. The role also includes responding to treatment issues under direction, reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and infection-control practices, and supporting patient education and transitional dialysis care.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable 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 and CPR certification to remain employed.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations within the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, and bending.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Support patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis and evaluate intradialytic problems, providing interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform and document patient evaluations before, during, and after treatment, including assessment before discharge and before termination of venous access.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Enable appropriate safety alarms and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Record treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in required records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in condition, unusual findings, and vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, store them as required, and ensure collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection-control procedures.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm required nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission and placement in the chart.
Prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education for patients and families as directed and as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Coordinate 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, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit.
Assist with supply ordering and inventory for the transitional care unit.