Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care; Monroeville (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Fresenius Medical Care in Monroeville, PA is seeking a dialysis technician to ensure safe and effective dialysis therapy under RN supervision. You will set up machines, monitor vascular access, obtain vitals, document treatment parameters, and support patient education and quality initiatives.

Responsibilities include initiating and terminating dialysis per orders, maintaining a clean environment, and assisting in staff training within a CQI framework to improve patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• Hands-on dialysis care responsibilities and patient education around adequacy measures.
• Ability to obtain and document vital signs and weights pre/post treatment.
• Experience with cannulation and heparin administration as delegated.

Responsibilities

• Welcome assigned patients and check wellbeing since last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access patency and cannulation; administer heparin as allowed.
• Obtain pre/post treatment vital signs and weight; evaluate access pre-treatment.
• Initiate dialysis per orders including QB and QD.
• Monitor patient response to dialysis; intervene as directed.
• Record vital signs and treatment parameters on Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet.
• Discontinue dialysis and assess patient prior to discharge.
• Ensure safety alarms are enabled and NVL 160 as applicable.
• Obtain prescribed labs and prepare specimens for collection.
• Disinfect dialysis machine surfaces and surrounding area between treatments.
• Assist in training direct patient care staff under RN supervision.

Skills

Dialysis machine setup

Vascular access cannulation

Vital signs monitoring

Patient education

Documentation

Safety alarms management

Tools

Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet

Disinfectant procedures

Job description

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

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. Assist in the maintenance of a safe and clean working environment. Supports the organization commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI Activities, including those related to patient satisfaction and actively participates in process improvement activities that enhance the likelihood that patients will achieve the organization Quality Enhancement Goals (QEP).

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Patient Related

Education:

• Assist other health care members in providing patient specific detailed education regarding adequacy measures where appropriate - Online Clearance Monitoring (OLC), Adequacy Monitoring Program (AMP), Urea Kinetic Modeling (UKM), and regarding disease process/access.

Treatment:

• 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 - 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
• Responsible for calculating and entry of individual patients’ dialysis machine programming for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal; treatment time; and UF modeling as prescribed.
• Responsible for ensuring 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
• Responsible for accurate documentation of 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.
• Monitors patients performing self-care under the supervision of RN.

Staff Related

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

Education/Communication:

• Follows 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 and perform all required pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT).