Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Morehead, KY

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. Responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines and assisting in maintaining a safe and clean working environment. Supports the organization's commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI Activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. This is a float position to nearby clinics.

Requirements

High school diploma or G.E.D. required.
Must meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred.
Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organization dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures, disease process, and access.
Welcome patients, inquire about their well-being, evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain pre and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and perform vascular access evaluation.
Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD).
Evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed.
Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy.
Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion, perform discontinuation procedures, and evaluate patient prior to discharge.
Calculate and enter patients’ dialysis machine programming for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters.
Document information related to patient treatment, including completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes.
Report significant information and/or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks, reporting any changes or unusual findings.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patients' response.
Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, provide appropriate intervention, document, and report findings.
Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
Ensure that all blood spills are immediately cleaned with appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of the RN.
Assist in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
Follow all organization business policies, procedures, and systems.
Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics, ensuring all areas are safe and clean.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Perform all required pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing.
Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and timely.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected.
Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork.
Prepare/print lab requisitions and collect, label, prepare, and store lab samples.
Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.
Assist in collecting information for infection control audits.
Support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
Follow infection control policies and procedures.
Participate in and reinforce infection control education of patients and families.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care related matters for new patients.
Liaise with appropriate FKC staff members to provide the best patient experience.
Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
Assist with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.