Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Oklahoma City, OK

10d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with patient care and education, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. In the Transitional Care Unit (TCU), the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education and care information, coordinates with staff to support the patient experience, and helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options. The technician also assists with coordinating a patient’s selected modality and with TCU supply ordering and inventory.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet 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.
Successfully complete CPR certification.
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 direct patient care involving frequent heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members in providing patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their well-being since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks and required alarm testing.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, identify and report changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor, and document interventions and responses.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, provide appropriate interventions, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and clinical application entries.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required signatures and corrections are completed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste, and maintain safe, clean work areas.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and assist with infection control audits, practices, and education under appropriate direction.
Follow newly admitted TCU patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education for new patients and help coordinate visits with appropriate staff disciplines according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and explain treatment options.
Assist with coordinating the transition to the patient's chosen modality and with TCU supply ordering and inventory.