Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Redlands, CA

3d•$25 - $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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality enhancement and continuous improvement activities. The technician provides patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, cannulation, obtaining and documenting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing prescribed treatments, monitoring patient response, addressing treatment issues within scope, and reporting changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes maintaining treatment records, preparing and handling laboratory specimens, performing machine safety checks, and following infection-control procedures. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and transitions to the patient's chosen modality, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with supplies and inventory. The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and physical tasks such as standing, bending, lifting, and assisting patients with movement.

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 organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
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 travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Be able to perform direct patient-care tasks that involve heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing, bending, occasional pushing or pulling up to 15 pounds, frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds, and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

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, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including access evaluation and patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Monitor patient response to dialysis therapy and report significant information or condition changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform pre- and post-treatment evaluations, discontinue treatment according to procedures, assess patients before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, observe patients, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other treatment information accurately and promptly.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and coordinate delivery of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, 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, review treatment sheets for completeness, and support correction of omitted entries by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, follow policies and procedures, and support patient and family education under appropriate direction.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with transitions to the patient's chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.