Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Kennewick, WA

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, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The position is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting in maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients during treatment, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration as permitted, obtains and documents vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders, monitors treatment response, and reports changes or unusual findings to a nurse or supervisor. The role includes documenting treatment parameters and interventions, performing machine safety checks, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, supporting infection-control practices, and assisting with patient education and staff training under appropriate 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, supports patients’ understanding of home dialysis options, performs treatments on TCU machines, and assists with supplies and inventory. The role involves direct patient care, regular interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and other locations as required. The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur. Physical duties include frequent prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must have any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
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 frequent, prolonged standing and bending; regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and perform required machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and evaluations, including standing and sitting blood pressure where indicated.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures; monitor patients’ responses and provide or report interventions as directed.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling as prescribed; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, patient status, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly, including completion of treatment sheets and applicable progress notes.
Report significant patient information, changes in condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange delivery of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently and help prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and infection-control requirements; support patient and staff adherence to infection-control practices.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities and assist with infection-control audit information collection.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures are documented, and arrange for omitted entries to be completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, help coordinate appropriate staff visits, and support patient understanding of home dialysis products and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, and assist with coordination of transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain safe, clean, and aesthetically appropriate work areas.
Travel between assigned facilities and other locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, or corporate meetings may be required.