patient care technician

Fresenius Medical Care•Youngstown, OH

23d

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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable state and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean working environment, and participates in quality-improvement activities intended to support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The technician provides direct patient care before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include welcoming patients, assessing their wellbeing and vascular access, collecting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment as prescribed, monitoring patients and machine safety, responding to treatment issues as directed, documenting care, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes specimen collection and preparation, supply and equipment organization, cleaning and disinfection, and support for infection-control practices. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education as permitted by state law, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with supplies and inventory. Training is provided. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification. The position requires meeting applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline and any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.

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 meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
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 will be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force occasionally; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet. Assistance devices or coworkers may be used for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education with other health care team members regarding adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and permitted by state law.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required patient identification and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and intervene as prescribed or directed; monitor and document patient responses to therapy and interventions.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, perform required treatment-discontinuation tasks, assess patients before termination and discharge, and obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Observe patients and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy; report changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document, report, and respond to unusual findings as appropriate.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets and applicable progress notes; review sheets for completeness and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and organize and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse 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 safe and clean surroundings.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, complete required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are prepared for the correct laboratory destination.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law; coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with 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.