Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Englewood, CO

3d•$21 - $30

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, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including process improvements intended to support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The technician provides direct patient support throughout dialysis treatment, including patient reception and observation, vascular access assessment and cannulation, vital-sign and weight checks, treatment initiation and discontinuation, machine programming, monitoring, documentation, and reporting changes in patient condition. The role also performs machine safety checks, prepares and handles laboratory specimens, supports infection-control practices, and assists with patient and staff education as permitted by state law and under appropriate supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, assists with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, and supports supply ordering and inventory. The position involves day-to-day computer and desk work as well as interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The work takes place in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting, moving patients, and assisting with ambulation. Frequent prolonged standing and bending are required; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment may involve up to 15 pounds of force. The position frequently involves lifting and lowering solutions up to 30 pounds and occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees 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. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required timeline and hold any state licensure or complete education and training required for the role. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification. Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred. Pay is $21.00–$30.00 per hour, depending on work location and qualifications.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
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 the described physical duties, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; regular heavy lifting, moving patients, and assisting with ambulation; occasional pushing or pulling with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures and the disease process or access, as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and assess vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, monitor patient response, and document interventions and responses.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform and document the tasks needed to discontinue treatment.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, evaluate patients before termination of venous access, obtain standing and sitting blood pressure, and achieve hemostasis and apply dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms, including Narrow Venous Limits, are enabled.
Accurately and promptly document vital signs, treatment parameters, treatment information, evaluations, and applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and vascular-access monitoring results to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and prepare specimens for collection.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and facility procedures.
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 a safe, clean environment and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document as appropriate, conduct required pretreatment machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Complete and document ongoing participation in CQI activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and nursing signatures and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for placement in the chart.
Prepare or print laboratory requisitions, collect and label samples, prepare and store samples according to laboratory requirements, and ensure courier collection.
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 permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care related to new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and how it may work for them.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
Help patients understand treatment options, including by demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist in coordinating transitions to the patient’s chosen modality and support Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.