Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with patient care and treatment, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The technician supports the Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts to improve patient satisfaction and help patients achieve quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, obtaining and documenting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders, monitoring patients and machine safety, responding to treatment concerns as directed, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. Duties also include collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining accurate treatment and chart documentation, and following infection-control procedures. The technician may assist with staff training under nurse supervision and support the Transitional Care Unit by helping newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis. This includes reinforcing education, coordinating care with facility staff, helping patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, setting up and performing treatments on TCU machines, and assisting with supply ordering and inventory. The work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may also be required. The work takes place in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. Frequent, prolonged standing and bending are required; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment may require up to 15 pounds of force. The role also involves frequently lifting and lowering solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable timeline and meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification. Employees 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.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet 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 completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on 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 direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up, operate, and perform required safety checks and alarm tests on hemodialysis machines.
Welcome patients, ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment, and monitor their response to dialysis.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, monitor access pressures, and report unusual findings.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre- and post-dialysis evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed or directed; document interventions and patient responses.
Obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, evaluate patients before discharge, and report significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and clinical application entries.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange for collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect the dialysis machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments, and promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage and maintain a safe, clean environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
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.
Support infection-control audits, practices, policies, and patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of transition to the patient's chosen modality and with TCU supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and attend regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings when required.