Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Renton, WA

5d•$21 - $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 is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, supports patient education, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated or legally permitted heparin administration, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors treatment response, and documents vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, and other relevant information. The role also performs machine safety checks, prepares and collects laboratory specimens, maintains infection-control practices, and supports patient transitions and education in the Transitional Care Unit.

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.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Be able to perform the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with ambulation, and lifting or moving patients and supplies.

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.
Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, vascular access, and treatment options as appropriate.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including relevant vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients during treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures; obtain vital signs before reinfusion; assess patients before termination and discharge; obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, store them as required, and ensure collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection-control procedures.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly work areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate signatures or corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee, as allowed by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Support patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality, and help coordinate supply ordering and inventory.