Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Ewa Beach, HI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, documenting treatment and patient information, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. The PCT also assists with patient education and care coordination, including in the Transitional Care Unit (TCU). This position is part of the Hawaii Union Regional Float Pool. Employees must float to all Hawaiian Islands, including Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii Island. Assignments are based on critical staffing needs and are issued one month at a time. Employees must travel for at least one month per assignment; assignments may be extended for up to three months depending on staffing and coverage needs. The role involves direct patient care in a health care facility and requires travel between assigned facilities and other community locations. The work includes frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and regularly lifting or moving patients. Employees may also need to push or pull equipment and lift dialysis solutions and other items. The position may involve exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must have any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Must be able to perform the stated physical demands, including frequent, prolonged standing and bending; direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients; frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; and occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Must travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community and, as a regional float-pool employee, travel to Hawaiian Islands for assignments of at least one month, potentially extending up to three months.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist other health care team members with patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, assess and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform treatment discontinuation and reinfusion procedures, obtain vital signs before reinfusion, assess patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, patient evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly, including on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes when applicable.
Check that required machine safety alarms are enabled, observe patients, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene when needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare specimens, and ensure they are collected, labeled, stored, and delivered according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills using the appropriate disinfectant and prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, and systems, including ethical business practices.
Maintain safe and clean surroundings; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and nearby areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare lab requisitions, and coordinate collection of laboratory specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, reinforce infection control practices and education, and follow infection control policies and procedures.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as allowed by state law, liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure care disciplines see patients according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.