Patient Care Technician

Fresenius Medical Care•Raleigh, NC

16d

About The Position

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 organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. Sets up and operates hemodialysis machines and helps maintain a safe, clean working environment. Supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement efforts. Provides patient education and care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, cannulation, delegated heparin administration, obtaining and documenting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing prescribed treatments, monitoring patient response, responding to intradialytic issues, and reporting changes in condition. Programs dialysis machines and checks safety alarms, documents treatment information, collects laboratory specimens, and maintains supplies and equipment. Also assists with staff training, infection control, record keeping, and—in Transitional Care Units—new-patient education and coordination of dialysis care and modality transitions. The role involves direct patient care in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and other community locations. Work includes interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians; exposure to infectious materials may occur. Physical duties include frequent standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or moving solutions and equipment within the stated limits. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable 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; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical duties described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally to a height of five feet; assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education regarding dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and document patient responses.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document accurate and timely treatment parameters, vital signs, patient evaluations, interventions, and other required treatment information.
Report significant patient information, condition changes, unusual findings, and vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of laboratory specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document CQI activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare laboratory requisitions, and ensure laboratory specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Support infection control audits, practices, policies, procedures, and patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients and liaise with staff to coordinate services according to the patient's plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, coordinate transitions to patients' chosen modalities, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.