Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT

Fresenius Medical Care•Farmers Branch, TX

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of a 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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and participating in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities intended to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and other delegated tasks, obtains and records pre-, intra-, and post-treatment measurements, initiates and discontinues treatment according to orders and procedures, responds to treatment concerns, and documents care. The position also involves laboratory specimen handling, machine and safety checks, infection-control practices, equipment preparation and cleaning, and support for patient education and staff training under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, assists patients in understanding treatment and home-dialysis options, helps coordinate modality transitions, and supports supply ordering and inventory. The job involves work in a health care facility, interaction with patients and clinical staff, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to meetings. Work includes computer and desk tasks as well as direct patient care, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials may occur. Employees must take the Ishihara color blindness test; failure 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 organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
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 physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; occasional lifting up to 40 pounds to a height of 5 feet; and patient handling and ambulation assistance, with equipment or coworker assistance available.

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 policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, vascular-access evaluations, and treatment parameters.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document patient responses.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment times, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to treatment and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, evaluate patients before discharge, and document treatment evaluations and required information.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens.
Conduct machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection-control procedures.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in CQI activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education and practices for staff, patients, and families as allowed by state law.
In 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 with appropriate staff, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to plan.
Assist patients in understanding home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, and support supply ordering and inventory.