Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Ventura, CA

7d•$25 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities. The position floats among 10 clinics and requires CHT certification. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, performs pre- and post-treatment assessments, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures, monitors treatment and patient response, and documents treatment information. The role also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and supplies, supporting infection control, and assisting with patient education and transitional dialysis care. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and includes direct patient care involving lifting, moving, and assisting patients.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Complete the organization’s dialysis training program successfully to continue employment.
Obtain and maintain CPR certification successfully to continue employment.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Able to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients and assisting with ambulation.
Able to lift or lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as 5 feet; may occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items.
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 or related facility.
CHT certification is required for the 10-clinic float area.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and as allowed by state law.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients and machines during treatment, evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly in the required records and clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, clean blood spills according to policy, and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Observe patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment, conduct required machine preparation and alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required entries and signatures are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and laboratory requisitions as needed.
Assist with infection control audits, reinforce infection control practices, and provide infection control education to patients and families under appropriate direction.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education for new patients, coordinate care with appropriate staff, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit; assist with modality transitions, supply ordering, and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and other required locations.