Patient Care Technician

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. Assist in the maintenance of a safe and clean working environment. Supports the organization commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI Activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Patient Related Education:
• Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures like 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 wellbeing since their last treatment.
• 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.
• Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD).
• Evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed.
• Monitor patients’ response to dialysis therapy.
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion and perform discontinuation procedures.
• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures and evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access.
• Obtain Hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
• 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.
• 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 completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes.
• Report any significant information and/or change in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy; report any changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and patients' response.
• Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures; provide intervention as needed, document and report to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
• Ensure all blood spills are immediately cleaned according to facility policy.
• Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of RN.
• Staff Related:
• Assist in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
• Education/Communication:
• Follow all organization business policies and procedures, including compliance with 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.
• Perform tasks for preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate.
• Perform required pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
• 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 are documented, and address omitted entries.
• Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork.
• Prepare/print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat lab specimens.
• Collect, label, prepare, and store lab samples according to laboratory specifications.
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by 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:
• Follow all newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care related matters for new patients.
• Liaise with appropriate FKC staff members for patient experience.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits.
• Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
• 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.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Hemodialysis machines
• Online Clearance Monitoring (OLC)
• Adequacy Monitoring Program (AMP)
• Urea Kinetic Modeling (UKM)
• Vascular access
• Heparin
• Blood flow (QB)
• Dialysate flow (QD)
• Ultrafiltration (UF)
• Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160
• Pressure Holding (PHT)
• Solution Delivery System (SDS)

Qualifications

• High School diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Must meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements.
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
• No Dialysis Experience Required.
• Healthcare Experience Preferred.
• Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organization dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.
• Employees are required to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. Failing the Ishihara Test does not preclude employment; accommodations will be considered.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Requires heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation.
• Requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and bending over.
• May occasionally push and/or pull equipment, exerting up to 15 pounds of force.
• May lift and lower solutions up to 30 lbs frequently, and up to 40 lbs occasionally, as high as 5 feet.
• May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• Work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with moderate noise levels.
• Day to day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians.
• Position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community.
• Travel to regional, Business Unit and Corporate meetings may be required.