Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Oak Brook, IL

5d•$18 - $30

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean care environment, and participating in quality enhancement and continuous improvement activities related to patient outcomes and satisfaction. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated or legally permitted heparin administration, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatments according to prescribed orders, and responds to treatment-related concerns as directed. The position requires accurate documentation, patient and machine safety checks, reporting changes in condition, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, and following infection-control procedures. The role may also support staff training under nurse 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 treatment and home-dialysis options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with modality transitions and supply inventory.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's 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 may be considered.
Be able to travel between assigned facilities and locations within the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Be able to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation; frequent and prolonged standing; bending; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

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 follow organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and conduct required machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate 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, and assess vascular access before and during treatment.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling, and ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Observe patients’ responses to treatment, assess and intervene in intradialytic problems as directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly and prepare 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 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.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, signatures, and appropriate completion or correction of omitted entries.
Prepare initial patient charts and laboratory requisitions, and coordinate specimen collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and support patient and family education as directed.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate appointments with appropriate staff, and help patients understand home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations, and support transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.