Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Wailuku, HI

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician supports FMCNA’s mission, vision, core values, and customer service philosophy while following its Compliance Program, applicable regulations, and FMS policies. As part of the hemodialysis health care team, the technician provides safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and participating in the Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, takes and records vital signs and weights, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation, and initiates, monitors, and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures. The role includes documenting treatment information, recognizing and reporting unusual findings or changes in patient condition, responding to treatment issues as directed, and obtaining and preparing laboratory specimens. The technician also prepares and tests dialysis equipment, cleans and disinfects treatment areas and equipment between treatments, manages supplies, completes clinical and administrative documentation, and supports patient education and customer service. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the FMCNA dialysis training program and CPR certification.

Requirements

CMS-approved state and/or national certification, or a high school diploma or GED and the ability to meet certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Meet the necessary requirements of the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment.
Successfully complete the FMCNA dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Provide customer service to internal and external customers; maintain effective communication and follow up on customer service issues.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment; report complaints and observations to the nurse supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access for patency before and during treatment, perform cannulation, monitor access pressures, and report unusual findings or difficulties to the nurse supervisor.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including the evaluations required before reinfusion, treatment termination, and discharge.
Administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow; calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, sodium modeling, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document interventions and patient responses.
Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and perform patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, patient evaluations, and other treatment information accurately and promptly; report significant information or changes in condition directly to the nurse supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange for pickup of laboratory specimens according to requirements.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant according to facility policy; organize and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Enter treatment data into the designated clinical application; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required signatures and corrections are addressed.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Perform additional duties as assigned.