Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Kailua, HI

6d•$25 - $31

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean care environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and other delegated treatment tasks, obtains and documents vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors patient responses, and reports changes or unusual findings to a nurse or supervisor. The role also includes accurate treatment documentation, laboratory specimen handling, machine safety checks, infection control, and assistance with staff and patient education. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, helps coordinate transitional care and modality choices, reinforces education, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. The work includes direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and frequent standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients or equipment. The position may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required 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; 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 perform the physical functions described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting solutions and equipment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and other required patient evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and calculate and enter machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and perform patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient responses and intradialytic problems, perform prescribed or directed interventions, document responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess the patient before discharge, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and other patient treatment information accurately and promptly.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste; prepare machines and conduct required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and follow organizational business, ethical, and infection control policies and procedures.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities, enter treatment data into the designated clinical application, and review treatment sheets for completeness and corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection control audits and reinforce infection control practices and education for patients and families as allowed by state law.
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 coordinate services, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.