Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Paramount, CA

12d•$25 - $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 follows organization 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 and continuous quality improvement activities intended to support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include assessing patients and vascular access, collecting vital signs and weights, initiating and monitoring prescribed treatments, responding to treatment issues, documenting care, reporting changes to a nurse or supervisor, and collecting laboratory specimens. The technician also supports infection control, staff training, and the preparation and upkeep of equipment and treatment areas. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates aspects of transitional care with other staff, supports patients in understanding treatment and home dialysis options, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. The role involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. It includes regular direct patient care, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Employees must take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; 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 remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
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 the position's physical functions, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Welcome assigned patients, ask about their wellbeing, and provide patient-specific education support regarding adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
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, including patient identification and relevant evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed.
Monitor patients' response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess the patient before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment information accurately and promptly, including vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, patient responses, and applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, store them as required, and ensure their collection by the appropriate lab courier.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain safe and clean work areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, perform and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into the clinical application; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted or corrected entries.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, reinforce adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies, and support 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 as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
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.