Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Runnemede, NJ

12d•$18 - $30

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician 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 organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean working environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The position provides direct patient care before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders, monitoring patient responses, responding to treatment issues as directed, recording treatment information, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also helps educate patients, supports infection control, and assists with training applicable staff 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, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and helps coordinate transitions to a patient’s chosen modality. The role includes desk and computer work, interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work takes place in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct care regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing, and bending. Occasional pushing or pulling of equipment and frequent lifting of solutions are also required.

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.
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 perform the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting solutions.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess 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 perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Monitor patient responses, identify intradialytic problems, and intervene as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatments according to established procedures, evaluate patients before discharge, and obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks.
Accurately document vital signs, treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and other treatment information.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, store them according to laboratory requirements, and coordinate their collection.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and maintain a safe, clean treatment environment.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under the supervision of a nurse.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly into the clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted entries or missing nursing signatures with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection control audits, reinforce infection control practices, and participate in patient and family infection control education as directed and as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and coordinate with appropriate staff to support patient experience and care plans.
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.
Assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.