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 in accordance with organization policies, procedures, and training and in compliance with regulations set forth by the corporation, state, and federal agencies.

Responsibilities

• Setup and operation of hemodialysis machines
• Assist in the maintenance of a safe and clean working environment
• Support the organization’s commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI activities, including those related to patient satisfaction
• Actively participate in process improvement activities that enhance the likelihood that patients will achieve the organization’s Quality Enhancement Goals (QEP)

Patient Care

• Welcome assigned patients and inquire as to their wellbeing since their last treatment
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform vascular access cannulation, and perform administration of heparin as delegated or as 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
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion; perform all relevant functions necessary for the discontinuation of treatment and document
• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures and evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access (standing & sitting blood pressure)
• 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 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
• Accurately document information related to patient treatment including completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and, if applicable, progress notes
• 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
• Report any change or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor
• 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 to the registered nurse or supervisor
• 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 RN

Staff Related

• Assist in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse

Education and Communication

• Follow all organization business policies, procedures and systems incorporated into training, 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 according to facility policy
• Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate
• Perform all required pretreatment 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 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

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 under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law

Transitional Care Unit

• 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 including making sure all disciplines are scheduled to see patient according to plan
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits of home dialysis 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

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Day-to-day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians
• The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community
• Travel to regional, Business Unit and Corporate meetings may be required
• The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels
• May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials
• The position provides direct patient care that regularly involves 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 the ability to bend over
• May occasionally be required to push and/or pull equipment, exerting up to 15 pounds of force
• May be required to lift and lower solutions on a frequent basis up to 30 lbs., and on an occasional lift basis up to 40 lbs., as high as 5 feet
• Two-person assist program and material assist devices are available for heavier items
• Employees are required to take the Ishihara’s Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment if reasonable accommodations can be made

Education and Licenses

• 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

Experience and Required Skills

• Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred
• Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organization dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Potential for performance-based bonuses depending on company and individual performance (for bonus-eligible positions)