Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Culver City, CA

6d•$25 - $30

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, along with applicable state and federal regulations. It is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and achievement of organizational quality goals. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, obtains pre- and post-treatment measurements, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders, monitors patient responses, documents treatment information, and reports changes in condition. The role also supports patient education, laboratory specimen handling, infection control, staff training, and the organization’s Continuous Quality Improvement activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and transitions to the patient’s selected modality, and assists with equipment, supply ordering, and inventory. Work includes patient interaction and direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and physical tasks such as lifting and moving patients and supplies. The work environment is a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious materials.

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.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
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, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations within 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.
CHT certification is required.

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about dialysis 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 as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required evaluations before treatment, reinfusion, and discharge.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform prescribed or directed interventions, and document patient responses.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and report unusual findings.
Document vital signs, treatment parameters, treatment information, and progress notes accurately and promptly.
Report significant information and changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and follow infection control policies and procedures.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under the supervision of a nurse.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly work areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures and corrections or omitted entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection control audits and reinforce infection control education for patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee, as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordinating transitions to the patient’s chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.