Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•CO111 FMCNA Sloans Lake - Clinic, CO

1d•$21 - $30

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. It is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including obtaining vital signs and weights, assessing and cannulating vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders and procedures, monitoring patient responses, addressing problems as directed, documenting treatment information, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also performs machine safety checks, prepares laboratory specimens, maintains treatment records, and supports infection-control practices. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, and supports modality transitions, machine treatments, and supply inventory. The work involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians; travel between assigned facilities and community locations may be required. The work environment is a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct care regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and prolonged standing and bending. The role requires a high school diploma or GED and meeting applicable CMS-approved certification requirements within the required timeline. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.

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 organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization dialysis training program to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet. Assistance or material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist healthcare team members with patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease process, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, during-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations, including initial patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as ordered or directed.
Perform required reinfusion and treatment-discontinuation procedures, evaluate patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and conduct patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment sheets, progress notes, and designated clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect the dialysis machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, complete and document required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness, required nursing signatures, and correction or completion of omitted entries by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for placement in the chart, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce infection-control education 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.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary visits.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, and help coordinate supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.