PCT

Southeastern Renal Dialysis, LLC; Fort Madison (IA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Southeastern Renal Dialysis, LLC is seeking a Kidney Care Technician to join the dialysis health care team, assisting in setup and operation of hemodialysis machines under supervision. You will help maintain a safe, clean environment and support CQI activities.

Responsibilities include monitoring patients during treatment, documenting vital signs and treatment data, and coordinating with the RN and supervisor to ensure high-quality patient care in accordance with policy and regulation.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Must obtain CMS-approved state and/or national certification within required state or CMS timeline.
• CCHT certification within 18 months upon hiring.
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.

Responsibilities

• Assist in education for adequacy measures and disease process education.
• Welcome patients and check wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency and cannulation; administer heparin as delegated.
• Record pre/post treatment vital signs and weight; evaluate pre-treatment access.
• Initiate dialysis per orders, monitor QB and QD flows.
• Monitor patient response; intervene as prescribed; document changes.
• Record vital signs and treatment parameters on Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet.
• Discontinue dialysis and evaluate patient before venous access termination.
• Document hemostasis and post-treatment discharge notes.
• Ensure safety alarms and equipment checks are performed; report anomalies.
• Prepare initial patient chart and lab requisitions; collect and label samples.

Skills

CPR certification

Patient care experience

Education

High School diploma or GED

CCHT certification within 18 months

CMS/state licensure requirements

Job description

Description

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

• 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.
• 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 disinfectants 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.
• 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).
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
• Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
• Enters 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 an initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement in the chart.
• Prepare/print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat Lab specimens according to laboratory destination.
• Collect, label, appropriately prepare and store lab samples according required laboratory specifications.
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.
• Assists in collecting information for infection control audits.
• Supports staff and patient Adherence to infection control practices.
• Follows infection control Policies and Procedures
• Participates in and reinforces infection control education of patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.

Requirements

EDUCATION:

• 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.
• Must obtain CCHT certification with 18 months upon hiring.
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards

Experience And Required Skills

• 1 year healthcare patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility required.
• Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organization dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.