Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Austin, TX

11d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) 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 corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts to improve patient satisfaction and achieve quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including patient education and assessment, vascular access care, treatment initiation and discontinuation, vital-sign and weight measurement, monitoring, documentation, laboratory specimen handling, and reporting changes in patient condition. The PCT also helps train applicable direct-care staff under nurse supervision and performs machine preparation, cleaning, and safety checks. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports patients in understanding home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, supply ordering, and inventory. The work includes computer and desk tasks, interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. The environment is that of a health care facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials is possible. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and frequent lifting or lowering of solutions. Equipment or coworkers may assist with heavier items.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Continued employment is contingent on successfully completing the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
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 perform the physical functions described, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education regarding 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 when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required initial identification and pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits.
Monitor patients’ responses to treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide prescribed or directed interventions; document interventions and patient responses.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to procedures, evaluate the patient before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and document treatment evaluations, weights, vital signs, treatment parameters, and other required information.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN 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 safe, clean, and orderly work areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, document preparation where appropriate, conduct required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission 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 policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
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 matters for new patients as allowed by state law, and coordinate with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and how home dialysis may work for them; explain treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.