Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

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, maintenance of a safe and clean working environment, and active participation in process improvement activities to enhance patient care and achieve organizational Quality Enhancement Goals (QEP).

Responsibilities

• Patient Related Education:
  • Assist in providing patient-specific education on adequacy measures (e.g., Online Clearance Monitoring, Adequacy Monitoring Program, Urea Kinetic Modeling) and disease process/access.
• Treatment:
  • Welcome patients and evaluate their well-being since last treatment.
  • Assess 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; evaluate vascular access pre-treatment.
  • Initiate dialysis treatment per prescribed orders, including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD).
  • Monitor and address intradialytic problems; evaluate patient response to therapy.
  • Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion; perform all functions necessary for treatment discontinuation and document.
  • Discontinue treatment per established procedures; evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access.
  • Achieve hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patient prior to discharge.
  • Perform and record pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, weight, and vital signs.
  • Calculate and program individual patient dialysis machine settings (e.g., Ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, UF modeling).
  • Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled (e.g., Narrow Venous Limits).
  • Record accurate and timely information on Hemodialysis Treatment Sheets and other documentation.
  • Report significant information or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
  • Conduct machine safety checks; report unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
  • Perform interventions for unusual patient status and document responses.
  • Evaluate vascular access during treatment; provide interventions as needed and report unusual findings.
  • Obtain prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
  • Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant per facility policy.
  • Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.
  • Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Staff Related:
  • Assist in training direct patient care staff on applicable programs under nurse supervision.
• Education/Communication:
  • Adhere to all organizational policies, procedures, and systems, including compliance with ethical business practices.
  • Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics; ensure all areas are safe and clean.
  • Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
  • Perform all tasks necessary for dialysis treatment preparation and document where appropriate.
  • Conduct required pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing (e.g., Pressure Holding Test).
  • Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS).
• 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, and address omitted entries.
  • Prepare initial patient charts for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement.
  • Prepare/print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat lab specimens per laboratory destination.
  • 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 for patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
• Transitional Care Unit:
  • Follow newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
  • Reinforce education and care-related matters for new patients as allowed by state law.
  • Liaison with appropriate staff to ensure the best patient experience, including scheduling all disciplines per plan.
  • Assist in ensuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and how it can work for them.
  • Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
  • Assist in ensuring patient understanding of treatment options, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup.
  • Coordinate transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
  • Assist with supply ordering and inventory for the Transitional Care Unit (TCU).

Requirements

• High School diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Must meet 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 organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility preferred.
• Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification required for continued employment.
• Must pass Ishihara’s Color Blindness test; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Day-to-day work includes desk and personal computer tasks, interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians.
• Travel between assigned facilities and various community locations may be required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be necessary.
• Work environment is characteristic of a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise levels.
• May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• Provides direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting, moving patients, and assisting with ambulation; equipment aids or coworkers may provide assistance.
• Requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and bending over.
• May occasionally push/pull equipment exerting up to 15 pounds of force.
• Frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 lbs.; occasional lifting up to 40 lbs. as high as 5 feet (two-person assist and material assist devices available for heavier items).