Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Westminster, CA

7d•$25 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of the 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, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician provides patient education and care throughout dialysis treatment, including monitoring patients, evaluating vascular access, performing cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted, recording vital signs and treatment data, and documenting treatment and interventions. The role also includes specimen collection and preparation, machine safety checks, infection-control practices, and preparation and disinfection of treatment areas and equipment. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician helps coordinate care for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports patients in understanding treatment and home-dialysis options, assists with modality transitions, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and work in a health care facility that may involve exposure to infectious materials.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required 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; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Ability to meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment as described.
Take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.
Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) certification is required, as indicated in the posting.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Provide patient-specific education related to dialysis adequacy, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform access evaluations, and complete patient identification.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient responses and intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, document responses, and report significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection-control policies.
Prepare, organize, and use 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.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly treatment areas; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, conduct 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 accurately and promptly in the clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required nursing signatures and corrections are obtained from appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education and practices for staff, patients, and families as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordinating transitions to the patient’s chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, and systems, including ethical business practices.