Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Ottumwa, IA

25d•Onsite

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. Responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines and maintaining a safe and clean working environment. Supports the organization's commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI Activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement.

Requirements

High School diploma or G.E.D. required.
Must meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred.
Successful completion of the organization dialysis training program.
Successful completion of CPR certification.

Nice To Haves

Part time after initial 12 weeks of training.

Responsibilities

Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding dialysis adequacy measures and disease process/access.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated.
Obtain vital signs and weight, initiate and monitor dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide intervention as prescribed.
Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy and discontinue treatment according to procedures.
Obtain Hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, and evaluate the patient prior to discharge.
Calculate and program dialysis machine settings for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure safety alarms are enabled.
Record accurate and timely treatment data, including vital signs and treatment parameters.
Document information related to patient treatment, including progress notes.
Report significant information or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document response.
Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment and report findings.
Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare, organize, and utilize supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of RN.
Assist in training of direct patient care staff.
Follow all organization business policies and procedures.
Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics; ensure all areas are safe and clean.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Perform required pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing.
Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and timely.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures and entries are correct.
Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork.
Prepare/print lab requisitions and collect, label, prepare, and store lab samples.
Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.
Assist in collecting information for infection control audits.
Support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
Follow infection control policies and procedures.
Reinforce infection control education of patients and families.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care related matters for new patients.
Liaise with appropriate staff members to provide the best patient experience.
Assure patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits.
Set and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis setup demonstration.
Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
Assist with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.