Patient Care Technician

About This Role

This role involves providing safe and effective dialysis therapy to patients under the supervision of a licensed nurse, ensuring compliance with health regulations. The Patient Care Technician is responsible for operating hemodialysis machines and contributing to a clean working environment while supporting quality enhancement programs.

Responsibilities

• Assist other healthcare members in providing patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures and disease process/access
• Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing
• Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law
• Obtain necessary pre and post-treatment vital signs, weight, and perform vascular access evaluation
• Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders for blood flow and dialysate flow
• Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide intervention as prescribed or directed
• Monitor patients’ response to dialysis therapy
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion and perform functions for discontinuation of treatment
• Discontinue dialysis treatment, obtain Hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings
• Perform and record Pre and Post dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs
• Calculate and enter individual patients’ dialysis machine programming for Ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and UF modeling
• Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled
• Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet
• Report significant information and/or change in patient condition directly to the registered nurse or supervisor
• Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks, reporting any changes or unusual findings
• Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patient response
• Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, providing intervention and reporting unusual findings
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection
• Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant
• 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 direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision
• Follow all organization business policies, procedures, and systems, including 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
• Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment, including pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing and initiating Solution Delivery System (SDS)
• Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities
• Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and timely
• Review treatment sheets for completeness, nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected
• Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement
• Prepare/print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat Lab specimens
• Collect, label, appropriately prepare and store lab samples according to 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
• Follow all newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis, coordinating transitional dialysis care
• Reinforce all education and care-related matters for new patients
• Liaison with appropriate FKC staff members to provide the best patient experience
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and how it 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 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
• Successful completion of the organization dialysis training program
• Successful completion of CPR certification

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