Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•East Chicago, IN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of the dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The role sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and participates in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes. The technician welcomes and monitors patients before, during, and after dialysis; assesses vascular access; performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration as allowed; initiates and discontinues treatments according to prescribed orders; monitors patient responses and machine safety; and documents treatment parameters and patient status. The position also involves collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining infection-control practices, preparing equipment and treatment areas, and assisting with patient education and staff training under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, demonstrates treatment options as appropriate, and supports supply ordering and inventory. The role requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations and includes direct patient care and physical activity. The work environment is a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious materials.

Requirements

Dialysis experience is required.
CCHT or CHT certification is required as indicated in the posting.
High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must hold any state licensure and complete education or training required for the role.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
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.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
May be required to push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet.

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 follow organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and perform required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Welcome patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, patient evaluations, and treatment parameters.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform machine safety checks and document interventions and patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between treatments and promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies and procedures and maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets and help ensure documentation is complete and corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, and participate in patient and family infection-control education under appropriate supervision.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and coordinate with appropriate staff to support the new patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate.
Assist with coordination of transitions to patients’ chosen modalities and manage Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required.