Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Marietta, GA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean environment, and contributing to the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities. The PCT welcomes patients, assesses their wellbeing and vascular access, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and monitors prescribed dialysis treatments, responds to treatment issues as directed, and completes treatment documentation. Duties also include collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining and disinfecting equipment, following infection-control procedures, supporting patient education, and assisting with training applicable direct-care staff under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, assists with modality transitions, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may also be required. The healthcare-facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care involves regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, and bending. Occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force is required. Solutions must be lifted or lowered frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara color blindness test; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to meet the physical demands described, including regular patient lifting and moving, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing and bending, and lifting or lowering solutions.
Must take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law, and assess vascular access before and during treatment.
Obtain, record, and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and patient evaluations, including standing and sitting blood pressure when discontinuing treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and calculate and enter machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and prescribed UF modeling.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue treatments according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient observation and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment sheets, progress notes, and the designated clinical application.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN 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 (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omissions or corrections with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate with appropriate FKC staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of the patient’s transition to their chosen modality, set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organization policies, procedures, and systems incorporated into training, including ethical business practices and customer service standards.