Inpatient Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Mobile, AL

10d

About The Position

Functions as part of the Inpatient Services Hemodialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy for assigned patients. Work is performed in accordance with company policies, procedures, and training, and in compliance with applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician provides patient care under the direct supervision of a Hemodialysis Registered Nurse in an acute-care setting, documents treatment information, monitors patients, and reports concerns or unusual findings to the RN. With documented competency and proficiency, the technician may set up and prime equipment for renal replacement therapies as directed by a nurse. The role includes preparing and checking dialysis machines, recording treatment information in patient records and electronic systems, collecting specimens, assisting with treatment and access discontinuation, and helping maintain a safe and clean work environment. The position may include responsibilities for particular departments or locations, as described in applicable addenda.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Must meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

At least six months of experience in a related field, such as EMT, surgical technician, Army, phlebotomy, or technician work; experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care to assigned patients in the acute dialysis setting under the direct supervision of a Hemodialysis Registered Nurse.
Report and document new or unusual incidents, information, complaints, problems, and patient findings to the RN.
Help maintain a safe and clean work environment and participate in quality enhancement, quality assessment, performance improvement, patient satisfaction, and process improvement activities.
When competency and proficiency are documented, set up and prime equipment for hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement, and peritoneal dialysis therapies as directed by the nurse.
Set up and test dialysis machines and ensure they are safe for treatment in accordance with manufacturer instructions and company policy and procedures.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their well-being since their last treatment; report complaints or observations to the RN.
Obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and report unusual findings to the RN.
Report cannulation difficulties as permitted by state requirements and report unusual findings to the RN.
Accurately document patient treatment information in the individual patient record, including the hospital Electronic Medical System (EMS) and Acute Care Electronic System (ACES).
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, sodium modeling, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including narrow venous limits (NVL 160).
Collect and label specimens and ensure timely delivery to the laboratory according to facility policy.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed by physician orders or directed by the RN; monitor and report patient responses and unusual findings.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform relevant functions for treatment discontinuation, including documentation.
Before terminating venous access, evaluate the patient and obtain standing and sitting blood pressures; obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate the patient before discharge and report unusual findings to the RN.
Comply with the Code of Business Conduct, company policies and procedures, and applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Assist with projects assigned by the direct supervisor or supervising RN, and perform other duties as assigned.