Patient Care Technician

Omaha Tribe of Nebraska•Macy, NE

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician supports the organization’s mission, core values, expected behaviors, and customer service philosophy while adhering to regulatory requirements, policies, procedures, and compliance standards. As a Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) and member of the hemodialysis health care team, the technician provides quality dialysis care in accordance with established procedures and training. The position also supports the Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts to improve patient satisfaction and help patients meet quality goals. The technician delivers prescribed, age-specific dialysis care; initiates, monitors, and discontinues treatments; observes and reports changes in patient condition; and documents care and other relevant information. Under RN direction and within applicable authorization, the technician performs access care, administers and documents saline, lidocaine, and heparin, obtains specimens, and assists with patient and family education. The role also includes maintaining a safe and clean environment, caring for and troubleshooting dialysis and water-treatment equipment, assisting with emergency procedures, supporting staff training and scheduling, and communicating with patients, families, physicians, and coworkers. The position involves direct patient care, including regularly lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The technician must be able to push or pull and mobilize approximately 200 pounds with assistance from wheels, carts, or other equipment. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, two years of dialysis training, the required CMS-approved state and/or national certification, a valid and insurable driver’s license, and CPR certification. The technician must be able to obtain PCT certification through the State of Nebraska and CCHT certification or licensure within 18 months of employment.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
Two years of dialysis training required.
CMS-approved state and/or national certification required.
Valid driver’s license and ability to be insured.
Ability to obtain Patient Care Technician (PCT) certification through the State of Nebraska.
Ability to obtain CCHT certification or licensure within 18 months of the first date of employment.
CPR certification required.
Dependable and reliable.
Ability to pass the Ishihara color blindness test.
Ability to regularly lift and move patients, assist with ambulation, and push, pull, or mobilize approximately 200 pounds with assistance from wheels, carts, or other equipment.
Ability to communicate by talking and listening, and sufficient visual and audio acuity to prepare and read written material and listen attentively.

Nice To Haves

Hemodialysis experience is desirable.
Computer knowledge is desirable.

Responsibilities

Provide prescribed, age-specific hemodialysis care and perform the aspects of the procedure for which the technician is trained and authorized.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to established procedures.
Observe patients for dialysis-related and other problems, establish care priorities, provide authorized treatment, and report significant observations or changes in condition to an RN.
Document pertinent patient-care and administrative information clearly, completely, and accurately in manual or electronic records.
Perform hemodialysis access care under RN direction and administer and document saline, lidocaine, and heparin when authorized and directed.
Obtain ordered blood samples and other specimens.
Reinforce patient and family education under RN direction and assist health care team members with patient-specific education where appropriate.
Maintain a safe environment by using proper body mechanics, infection-control precautions, and cleaning procedures consistent with OSHA regulations.
Maintain, clean, operate, and troubleshoot dialysis, water-treatment, and special-procedure equipment in coordination with the supervisor and biomedical staff.
Keep the unit neat, orderly, and stocked, and report equipment or supply issues and unusual incidents according to policy.
Assist with emergency operational procedures, including patient evacuation in the event of fire or disaster.
Assist RNs with formulating nursing care plans and with orienting and training staff under RN direction.
Participate in CQI projects, unit staff meetings, in-service classes, and required clinical and corporate training.
Communicate effectively and maintain positive working relationships with patients, families, physicians, supervisors, coworkers, and medical staff.
Assist the Unit Manager with staff scheduling, including rotation, to support adequate coverage.
Seek guidance when needed and serve as a resource to other staff within the technician’s scope of practice.
Perform additional duties as assigned.