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. Responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines and assists in maintaining a safe and clean working environment. Supports the organization’s commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including those related to patient satisfaction and process improvement activities that enhance the likelihood that patients will achieve the organization’s Quality Enhancement Goals.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures (e.g., Online Clearance Monitoring, Adequacy Monitoring Program, Urea Kinetic Modeling) and disease process/access.
• Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
• Obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight; 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 or directed; monitor patients’ response to therapy.
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion; perform all relevant functions for discontinuation of treatment and document accordingly.
• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures; 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 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 information related to patient treatment, including completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes; report significant changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy; report any changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Perform and document interventions 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 and report unusual findings.
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection; ensure blood spills are 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 an RN.
• Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics; ensure all areas are safe and clean.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
• Conduct tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate; perform required pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
• 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 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, prepare, and store lab samples according to required laboratory specifications; ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.
• Assist in collecting information for infection control audits; support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices and reinforce education of patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
• Follow newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care; reinforce education and care-related matters as it relates to the new patient as allowed by state law.
• Liaise with appropriate staff members to ensure all disciplines are scheduled to see the patient according to plan.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits of home dialysis, and how it can work for them.
• 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 set-up.
• Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice and supply ordering and inventory for the Transitional Care Unit.

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’s dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.

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.
• 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; must be able 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 basis up to 40 lbs., as high as 5 feet.
• 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.