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

• Assist other health care members in providing patient specific detailed education regarding adequacy measures.
• 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.
• 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 entry of 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.
• Document 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.
• Monitors patients performing self-care under the supervision of RN.
• Assist in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
• 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 and perform all required pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT).
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.

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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Skills

• Ability to lift and to lower solutions on a frequent basis of up to 30 lbs., and on an occasional lift basis up to 40 lbs., as high as 5 feet.
• Ability to push and/or pull equipment, exerting up to 15 pounds of force.
• Ability to bend over, stand for long periods, and assist with patient ambulation.