Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Norwalk, CA

13d•$25 - $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), continuous quality improvement (CQI), patient satisfaction, and process-improvement activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, performs vascular-access assessments and cannulation, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders, monitors treatment response, and responds to treatment issues as directed. Duties include programming dialysis machines, checking safety alarms, documenting treatment information, reporting changes in patient condition, collecting laboratory specimens, and preparing and maintaining equipment and supplies. The technician also helps train applicable patient-care staff, supports infection-control practices, and completes required clinical records and CQI documentation. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education as permitted by state law, coordinates care with facility staff, supports patients’ understanding of treatment and home-dialysis options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with modality transitions, supplies, and inventory. The position involves work in a healthcare facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, business-unit, or corporate meetings may also be required. The work includes computer and desk tasks and direct patient care, including frequent standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients or supplies. Employees may be exposed to infectious or contagious materials. An Ishihara color-blindness test is required as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer-service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to perform the position’s physical functions, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; lifting and lowering solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as 5 feet; and occasionally pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force. Assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, business-unit, or corporate meetings may be required.
Take the Ishihara color-blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist healthcare team members with patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform access evaluations, and complete patient identification and evaluation procedures.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled and observe patients and machines for safety and treatment issues.
Intervene for intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, document interventions and patient responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge and assess venous access before treatment termination.
Record accurate and timely vital signs, treatment parameters, and other patient-treatment information, including treatment sheets and progress notes when applicable.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare and organize equipment and supplies efficiently to prevent waste; conduct pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient-care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Complete and document participation in CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and review treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures or corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and laboratory requisitions and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, and participate in patient and family infection-control education under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law, coordinate appointments with relevant staff, and support understanding of home-dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup, and help coordinate transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.