Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•DC004 Northeast DC - Clinic, DC

7d•$18 - $30

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. The technician performs patient care and treatment tasks in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. Responsibilities include preparing for and conducting dialysis treatments, monitoring patient condition and treatment response, documenting vital signs and treatment parameters, responding to treatment issues as directed, evaluating vascular access, and reporting significant findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also supports staff training, record keeping, laboratory specimen handling, infection control, and transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients. The role involves regular direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and work in a health care facility environment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services-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 organizational 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 involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and equipment, with assistance or material-assist devices available for heavier items.
Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and as allowed by state law.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access patency, cannulate vascular access, and administer heparin as 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.
Calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Monitor patients and dialysis machines during treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other required treatment information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, arrange collection, and store samples according to laboratory specifications.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, clean blood spills, and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis machines and perform required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff under the supervision of a nurse.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, ethical business practices, and infection control policies and practices.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection control audits and reinforce infection control education for patients and families as directed.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure required nursing signatures are documented, and arrange for omitted entries to be completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile and place paperwork appropriately.
For 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, coordinate visits with appropriate staff, and assist patients in understanding home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations, and coordinate transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.