Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Spokane, WA

7d•$20 - $25

About The Position

Functions as part of a dialysis health care team to provide 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 work environment, and participating in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities that support patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The technician provides patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including patient education support, vascular access assessment and cannulation, vital-sign and weight measurements, treatment initiation and discontinuation, patient monitoring, documentation, and reporting changes in patient condition. The role also includes laboratory specimen handling, machine and environmental preparation and disinfection, infection-control practices, staff training assistance, and record keeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care and appointments with appropriate staff, helps patients understand treatment and home dialysis options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with transition planning and supply inventory. The position involves direct patient care and travel between assigned facilities and other community locations. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet 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 as a condition of continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification as a condition of continued employment.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending; heavy lifting and moving of patients; assisting with ambulation; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Support patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and within applicable legal limits.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Check that required machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and perform required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess the patient before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and perform and document pre- and post-dialysis assessments, weights, and vital signs with initial identification.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other required treatment information accurately and promptly on treatment sheets and, where applicable, progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy; monitor access pressures and intervene, document, and report unusual findings as appropriate.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and follow facility policy.
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 on relevant programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Complete tasks required to prepare for dialysis treatment and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and promptly.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or 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 reinforce patient and family education under direction as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduling of disciplines according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and how home dialysis may work for them, 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.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.