Patient Care Technician

Fresenius Medical Care•Tyler, TX

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of a 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 technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and supports quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments. Duties include welcoming patients, assessing their well-being and vascular access, taking pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, initiating and discontinuing dialysis according to prescribed orders, monitoring patient responses and machine safety, responding to problems as directed, documenting treatment information, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also obtains and prepares laboratory specimens, maintains supplies and equipment, and supports patients performing self-care under RN supervision. Additional responsibilities include assisting with staff training, maintaining infection-control practices, cleaning and disinfecting treatment areas and equipment, preparing patient charts and laboratory requisitions, and participating in Continuous Quality Improvement activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, supports understanding of treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with transition planning and supply inventory. The work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meeting travel may also be required. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care involves frequent prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation. Employees may occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items. 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 physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and lowering solutions, moving patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various community locations.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their well-being since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and other required evaluations, including initial patient identification.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures, including programming blood and dialysate flow, ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Monitor patient responses and machine safety, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document patient responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge and before termination of venous access.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including Hemodialysis Treatment Sheets, progress notes when applicable, treatment parameters, and clinical application entries.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of laboratory specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills immediately using appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, and systems, including ethical business practices, and maintain environmental safety and cleanliness.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing or incorrect entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and support patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted 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 information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see the patient according to the plan.
Help patients understand home-dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Set and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.