Patient Care Technician, PCT

About the Role

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. Responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines. Assists in the maintenance of a safe and clean working environment. Supports the organization's commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI Activities, actively participating in process improvement.

No previous dialysis experience needed; on-the-job training is provided.

Miller Hill clinic hours: Monday-Saturday 5:15 am - 6 pm, closed Sunday.

Rotating days.

Key Responsibilities

• Patient Related Education:
• Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures such as Online Clearance Monitoring (OLC), Adequacy Monitoring Program (AMP), and Urea Kinetic Modeling (UKM).
• Educate on disease process/access.
• Treatment:
• Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their well-being.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform vascular access cannulation, and administer heparin (as delegated or allowed by state law).
• Obtain pre and post-treatment vital signs and weight.
• Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD).
• Evaluate and intervene for intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed.
• Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy.
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion and perform all relevant functions for discontinuation of treatment.
• Discontinue dialysis treatment and evaluate the patient prior to venous access termination.
• Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
• Evaluate the patient prior to discharge.
• Perform and record pre and post-dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs.
• Calculate and enter individual patients’ dialysis machine programming for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
• 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.
• Document information related to patient treatment, including the completion of the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes.
• Report significant information and/or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks; report any changes or unusual findings.
• Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patient's response.
• Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures, and provide appropriate intervention.
• 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.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
• Staff Related:
• Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
• Education/Communication:
• Follow all organization business policies, procedures, and systems, including ethical business practices.
• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics; ensure all areas are safe and clean.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surface, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
• Conduct tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and perform required pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS).
• Record Keeping:
• 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, ensure nursing signatures, and correct any omitted entries.
• Prepare initial patient charts for admission and compile paperwork.
• Prepare/print lab requisitions and collect, label, prepare, and store lab samples.
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by the appropriate lab courier.
• Infection Control:
• 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.
• Transitional Care Unit (TCU):
• Follow newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care related matters for new patients.
• Liaise with appropriate FKC staff members for optimal patient experience.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits.
• Perform treatments on all machines used in the TCU.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup.
• Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
• Assist with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Requires ability to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. Failing the test does not preclude employment; the Company will consider reasonable accommodations.
• Includes desk and personal computer work, and interaction with patients, staff, and physicians.
• Requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
• Work environment is a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise.
• May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• Provides direct patient care involving heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation. Equipment aids and/or coworkers may provide assistance.
• Requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and bending over.
• May occasionally push/pull equipment, exerting up to 15 pounds of force.
• May lift/lower solutions up to 30 lbs frequently, and up to 40 lbs occasionally, as high as 5 feet. Two-person assist and material assist devices are available.

Qualifications

• 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 timeline.
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Hemodialysis machines
• Online Clearance Monitoring (OLC)
• Adequacy Monitoring Program (AMP)
• Urea Kinetic Modeling (UKM)
• Heparin
• Blood flow (QB)
• Dialysate flow (QD)
• Hemostasis
• Ultrafiltration (UF)
• Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160
• Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet
• Pressure Holding (PHT)
• Solution Delivery System (SDS)
• Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
• Peritoneal dialysis
• Ishihara's Color Blindness test
• RN
• CPR certification
• Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)
• Quality Enhancement Program (QEP)

Experience

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