Patient Care Technician

About This Role

Functions as part of a dialysis healthcare team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. This role is responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines and assists in maintaining a safe and clean working environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures and disease process/access where appropriate
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform vascular access cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law
• Obtain necessary pre and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and perform vascular access evaluation pre-treatment
• Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD)
• Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide intervention as prescribed by physician order or as directed
• Monitor patients’ response to dialysis therapy and obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion
• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures and evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access
• Obtain Hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, and evaluate the patient prior to discharge
• Perform and record pre and post-dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs with initial identification
• Calculate and enter individual patients’ dialysis machine programming for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed
• Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160
• Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters onto the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification
• Report any significant information and/or change in patient condition directly to the registered nurse or supervisor
• Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy, reporting any changes or unusual findings
• Perform and document any intervention for unusual patient status and document patients' response to intervention
• Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment including arterial and venous monitoring pressures, provide appropriate intervention as needed, document and report any unusual findings
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection
• Ensure that all blood spills are immediately cleaned with appropriate disinfectant according to facility policy
• Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage
• Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN
• Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse
• Follow all organization business policies, procedures, and systems incorporated into training, including compliance with ethical business practices
• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics, ensuring all areas are safe and clean
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surface, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments according to facility policy
• Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment, document where appropriate, and perform all required pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT)
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system
• Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities
• Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application in an accurate and timely manner
• Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures are documented, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff
• Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement in chart
• Prepare/print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat Lab specimens according to laboratory destination
• Collect, label, appropriately prepare and store lab samples according to required laboratory specifications
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier
• Assist in collecting information for infection control audits
• Support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices
• Follow infection control policies and procedures
• Participate in and reinforce infection control education of patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law
• Follow all newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care
• Reinforce all education and care related matters as it relates to the new patient as allowed by state law
• Liaise with appropriate FKC staff members to provide the best patient experience
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and how home dialysis can work for them
• Set and perform a treatment on all machines used in the transitional care unit
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options including demonstration of the peritoneal dialysis set-up
• Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice
• Assist with supply ordering and inventory for TCU

Requirements

• High School diploma or G.E.D. required
• Must meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards

Qualifications

• High School diploma or G.E.D.
• Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred.

Nice to Have

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

Benefits

Certifications