Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Conyers, GA

11d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of the dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting in maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities focused on patient satisfaction and care outcomes. The technician welcomes and monitors patients before, during, and after dialysis; assesses vascular access; performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted; initiates, monitors, and discontinues treatment according to orders and procedures; records treatment data; and reports patient changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also involves collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining infection-control practices, cleaning and testing equipment, and supporting patient education and transitional dialysis care. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and helps coordinate education, treatment options, supplies, and transitions to the patient’s chosen modality. 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 environment is a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing, and bending. The employee may occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must have CCHT certification, as stated in the posting title and opening requirement.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must hold any applicable state licensure and complete required education and training.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; regular heavy lifting and moving of patients; frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; and occasional pushing or pulling of equipment using up to 15 pounds of force.
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 travel between assigned facilities and various 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

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess 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 vascular-access evaluations and patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed patient machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ response to therapy, assess and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain pre-reinfusion vital signs, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess the patient before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate the patient before discharge.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other treatment information accurately and promptly in the required records and clinical application.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures, and document, intervene, and report unusual findings as appropriate.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of laboratory specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare 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 business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, perform and document required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omissions or corrections are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control procedures, and reinforce patient and family infection-control education under direction and as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as permitted by state law, and coordinate with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary visits.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions to their chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant according to facility policy.