Patient Care Technician - PCT - CCHT

Fresenius Medical Care•Palmetto, GA

About The Position

Functions as part of a dialysis health care team to provide 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 role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality improvement activities aimed at patient satisfaction and achievement of organizational quality goals. The Patient Care Technician welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated or legally permitted heparin administration, obtains vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatments, monitors patient response, and responds to treatment-related issues as directed. The role programs dialysis machines as prescribed, conducts safety checks, documents treatment information, reports changes in patient condition, collects laboratory specimens, and maintains infection-control practices and equipment cleanliness. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with other staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, assists with modality transitions, and supports supply and inventory coordination. The position includes desk and computer work, interaction with patients and care teams, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and direct patient care involving lifting, moving, and assisting patients.

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 organizational 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.
Pass the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent prolonged standing, bending, and regularly lifting or moving patients and assisting with ambulation; lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; and occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; 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

Assist healthcare team members in providing patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency; perform cannulation and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and conduct vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patient response and intradialytic issues, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant information or changes in condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, evaluate patients before termination and discharge, and document treatment completion.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, vital signs, treatment parameters, and interventions and patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange delivery of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and 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 on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis and perform required machine alarm tests, including Pressure Holding Tests; initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness and corrections by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with facility staff to coordinate care and appointments, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, 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 transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.