Patient Care Technician

Fresenius Medical Care•Big Spring, TX

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician 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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities to support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including patient preparation and assessment, vascular access evaluation and cannulation, treatment initiation and monitoring, responding to treatment concerns, and treatment discontinuation. It also includes accurate clinical documentation, laboratory specimen handling, infection-control practices, equipment preparation and cleaning, and support for patient and staff education. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, helps coordinate care and education, and assists patients in understanding treatment and modality options. The work takes place in a health care facility and involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and corporate meetings may also be required. The position includes frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and frequent lifting of solutions up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds. Employees may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Employment requires an Ishihara color vision test; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable 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 to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Ability to perform direct patient care tasks that involve frequent, prolonged standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients, with assistance or equipment available as needed.
Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment may require up to 15 pounds of force.

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.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Monitor patients' responses to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide prescribed or directed interventions.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to procedures, assess patients before termination of venous access, and ensure hemostasis and appropriate dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and document treatment evaluations, vital signs, weights, and treatment parameters.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms, including Narrow Venous Limits, are enabled, and observe patients while conducting machine safety checks.
Document treatment information accurately and promptly, report changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor, and record interventions and patient responses.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, intervene as appropriate, and report and document unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens in accordance with laboratory requirements.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant, and maintain a safe and clean environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure appropriate corrections or completed entries.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate services, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to their care plans.
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 and assist with supply ordering and inventory.