Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Clairton, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This role functions as part of the dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy to patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The technician is responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines, assisting in maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting the organization's commitment to quality improvement activities. The company is a large provider of renal care products and services, offering extensive training and support, including 12 weeks of paid training with a preceptor and nurse educator. They also offer up to $4,400 in tuition reimbursement per calendar year.

Requirements

High School diploma or G.E.D. required.
Must meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred.
Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organization dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.
Must pass the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment (though failing does not preclude employment if reasonable accommodations can be made).

Nice To Haves

No prior dialysis experience required; 12 weeks of paid & structured training with an assigned Preceptor & Nurse Educator.

Responsibilities

Assist other health care members in providing patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures and disease process/access.
Welcome assigned patients, inquire about their well-being, and evaluate vascular access for patency.
Perform vascular access cannulation and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain necessary pre and post-treatment vital signs and weight.
Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD).
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide intervention as prescribed or directed.
Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy.
Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion and perform all relevant functions for discontinuation of treatment.
Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures and evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access.
Obtain Hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings, evaluating the patient prior to discharge.
Perform and record pre and post-dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs with initial identification.
Calculate and enter individual patients’ dialysis machine programming for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160.
Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters onto the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet.
Accurately document information related to patient treatment, including completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes.
Report any significant information and/or change in patient condition directly to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Report any change or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform and document any intervention for unusual patient status and document patients' response to intervention.
Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures, and provide appropriate intervention.
Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
Ensure that all blood spills are immediately cleaned with appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of RN.
Assist in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
Follow all organization business policies, procedures, and systems incorporated into training.
Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics, ensuring all areas are safe and clean.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surface, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate.
Perform all required pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and timely.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures are documented, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected.
Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement in chart.
Prepare/print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat Lab specimens.
Collect, label, appropriately prepare and store lab samples according to required laboratory specifications.
Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.
Assist in collecting information for infection control audits.
Support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
Follow infection control policies and procedures.
Participate in and reinforce infection control education of patients and families.
Follow all newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce all education and care-related matters for new patients.
Liaise with appropriate FKC staff members to provide the best patient experience.
Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits of home, and how home dialysis can work for them.
Set and perform a treatment on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
Assist with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.