Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Waimea, HI

15d•$18 - $29

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supports quality improvement and patient-satisfaction activities. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted, initiates and discontinues prescribed dialysis treatments, monitors patient responses, and documents treatment data. The role also performs machine safety checks, handles prescribed laboratory testing and specimens, cleans and disinfects equipment, and reports changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor. In a Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with treatment setup, transition planning, supplies, and inventory. The position involves desk and computer work, patient and staff interaction, 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 patient care includes frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with ambulation, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. The employer may provide accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Employees must take an Ishihara color-vision test as a condition of employment; failing the test 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.
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.
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 position's physical duties, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment as described.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency; perform cannulation and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required pre-treatment vascular-access evaluation and patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and report significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform pre- and post-dialysis evaluations and document treatment information accurately and promptly, including treatment parameters and progress notes when applicable.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis-machine settings, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion; discontinue treatment according to established procedures; evaluate patients before termination of venous access; obtain hemostasis and apply dressings; and assess patients before discharge.
Monitor vascular-access pressures during treatment, provide and document appropriate interventions, and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, 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 programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis, conduct and document required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and signatures and ensure omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare or print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under direction as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home-dialysis products, benefits, and options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.