Acute Inpatient Patient Care Technician - PCT

About the Role

Functions as part of the Inpatient Services Hemodialysis Health Care team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for assigned patients in accordance with FMCNA policies, procedures, and training and in compliance with regulations set forth by the corporation, state, and federal agencies.

Responsibilities

• Provides patient care under the direct supervision of a Hemodialysis Registered Nurse for assigned patient(s) in the dialysis suite in the acute setting.
• Reports and documents all new and unusual incidents, information, complaints, or problems to the RN.
• Promotes and assists in maintaining a safe and clean working environment.
• Supports the FMCNA commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities, including those related to patient satisfaction, and actively participates in process improvement activities.
• With documented competency and proficiency, may set up and prime equipment as directed by the Fresenius Nurse for renal replacement therapies (hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement, and peritoneal dialysis therapies).
• Ensures the dialysis machine is set up, tested, and safe for treatment in accordance with manufacturer instructions and company policies.
• Welcomes assigned patients, inquires about their well-being since their last treatment, and reports any complaints or observations to the FMCNA RN.
• Obtains necessary pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight; reports unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
• Reports any difficulties in cannulation or unusual findings to the FMCNA RN as permitted by state requirements.
• Accurately documents patient treatment information in the individual patient record, including the hospital Electronic Medical System (EMS) and the Acute Care Electronic System (ACES).
• Calculates and enters individual patients’ dialysis machine programming for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, Sodium (Na) modeling, and UF modeling as prescribed.
• Ensures appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including narrow venous limits (NVL 160).
• Collects, labels specimens, and ensures timely delivery to the laboratory per facility policy.
• Evaluates intradialytic problems and provides intervention as prescribed by physician’s order or as directed by FMCNA RN.
• Monitors patient’s response to dialysis therapy and reports any unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
• Obtains vital signs prior to reinfusion and performs all relevant functions necessary for the discontinuation of treatment, including documentation.
• Evaluates the patient prior to termination of venous access, including standing and sitting blood pressures.
• Obtains hemostasis and applies appropriate dressings; evaluates the patient prior to discharge and reports any unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
• Reviews and complies with the Code of Business Conduct and all applicable company policies, local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Assists with various projects as assigned by direct supervisor or supervising RN.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• At least 6 months’ experience in a related field (EMT, Surgical Technicians, Army, Phlebotomists, and technicians) is preferred but not required.
• Must meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• Effective communication skills – both verbal and written.
• Employees are required to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. Failing the test does not preclude employment; reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Day-to-day work includes personal computer work while standing and sitting, interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians.
• Requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community.
• Work environment is characteristic of a healthcare facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels.
• May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• Provides direct patient care involving heavy lifting and moving of patients, with assistance from equipment aids, coworkers, or "material assist" devices for heavier items.
• Requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and bending over.
• May occasionally assist in moving machines and equipment of up to 200 lbs.
• May lift chemical and water solutions of up to 30 lbs. as high as 5 feet.