Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Honolulu, HI

10d•$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, along with applicable state and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and supports quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and achievement of organizational quality goals. The position may require floating to other clinics and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, and records patient assessments and treatment information. The technician responds to intradialytic problems as directed, reports patient changes to a nurse or supervisor, obtains and prepares laboratory specimens, and follows infection control and equipment-cleaning procedures. The role also supports patient education, staff training, and, in transitional care units, newly admitted patients and their understanding of treatment and modality options. The work includes desk and computer duties as well as direct patient care in a health care facility. It involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians, potential exposure to infectious materials, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. 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.

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.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.

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 previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, patient evaluations, and treatment parameters.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders and calculate and enter machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing.
Monitor patients’ responses to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, evaluate patients before treatment termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Document treatment information accurately and promptly, including treatment sheets, progress notes where applicable, interventions, and patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens.
Clean blood spills and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas according to facility policy.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment, use them efficiently, and assist with supply ordering and inventory in the transitional care unit.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection control audits, and reinforce infection control practices and education under appropriate direction.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare or print laboratory requisitions, and review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate signatures.
In the transitional care unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and help coordinate transitional care, education, discipline visits, and transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment and follow organizational business policies, procedures, and ethical practices.