Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•DeFuniak Springs, FL

10d

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, helping maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients during dialysis, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration as permitted, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatments according to prescribed orders and procedures, and responds to treatment-related issues as directed. The position includes programming dialysis machines, checking safety alarms, documenting treatments and patient responses, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, and promptly reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also supports patient and staff education, infection-control practices, facility cleanliness, equipment preparation and disinfection, and accurate clinical recordkeeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician helps coordinate care for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with modality transitions and supply inventory. The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to meetings. Work may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. High school diploma or GED is required. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services-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 to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient ambulation and movement, and lifting solutions and supplies as described.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide safe and effective 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 last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in required records and clinical applications.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange for collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment 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.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly treatment areas; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and assist with infection-control audits and adherence to infection-control procedures.
Reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under the direction of the Center Manager or designee, as permitted by state law.
For Transitional Care Unit patients, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education for new patients, coordinate appropriate staff visits, and help patients understand home-dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup, and help coordinate transitions to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, review treatment sheets for completeness, and help ensure required signatures and corrections are completed by appropriate staff.