Patient Care Technician 1

Fresenius Medical Care•Clarksville, IN

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, in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality improvement activities intended to support patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The technician welcomes patients, checks their wellbeing, obtains and records pre- and post-treatment measurements, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation, and administers heparin when delegated or permitted by state law. The role initiates and monitors dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, responds to treatment-related issues as directed, performs discontinuation and post-treatment procedures, and documents treatment information accurately. It also includes monitoring patients’ responses and access, reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor, obtaining prescribed laboratory tests and preparing specimens, and monitoring patients who perform self-care under RN supervision. Additional duties include maintaining and disinfecting machines and treatment areas, preparing supplies and equipment, completing required machine safety tests, supporting infection-control practices, assisting with staff training under nurse supervision, and maintaining patient records and quality-improvement documentation. 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, supports patient understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with supply and inventory tasks. The role involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may also be required. Work includes computer and desk tasks, interaction with patients and care teams, exposure to infectious or contagious materials, and frequent standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients or supplies. Employees must take the Ishihara color-vision test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable 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 is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
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 role’s physical demands, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, moving or assisting patients, and lifting solutions and supplies as described in the posting.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and evaluations, including initial patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and document patients’ responses.
Perform treatment discontinuation and post-treatment procedures, obtain vital signs before reinfusion, assess patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, patient care, and any applicable progress notes accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate signatures.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory testing; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment to prevent waste; maintain safe, clean, and orderly areas.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient-care staff on programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data in the designated clinical application.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, and support patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law; liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate the patient experience and scheduled discipline visits.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with coordination of transitions to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.