patient care technician 3

As a Patient Care Technician 3, you will function as a key member of the dialysis healthcare team, providing safe and effective hemodialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. You will be responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines, patient care delivery, staff training and development, and maintaining a safe and clean clinical environment in compliance with organizational policies and federal regulations.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Welcome assigned patients and assess their wellbeing since their last treatment
• Evaluate vascular access for patency and perform vascular access cannulation
• Administer heparin as delegated or as allowed by state law
• Obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations
• Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD) settings
• Calculate and enter individual patient dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration (UF) goals, treatment time, and UF modeling
• Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160
• Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy and evaluate intradialytic problems
• Provide intervention as prescribed by physician order or as directed by nursing staff
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion and perform all functions necessary for treatment discontinuation
• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures and evaluate patient prior to venous access termination
• Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings
• Evaluate patients prior to discharge
• Record accurate and timely pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, weights, and vital signs with initial identification
• Document all vital signs and treatment parameters on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification
• Complete accurate documentation of patient treatment information including Hemodialysis Treatment Sheets and progress notes as applicable
• Report significant information and changes in patient condition directly to the registered nurse or supervisor
• Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy
• Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patient response
• Evaluate patients' vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures
• Provide appropriate intervention as needed and report unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection
• Ensure all blood spills are immediately cleaned with appropriate disinfectants according to facility policy
• Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist as applicable
• Assist other healthcare members in providing patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures (Online Clearance Monitoring, Adequacy Monitoring Program, Urea Kinetic Modeling) and disease process/access

Staff Training and Development

• Participate in the recruitment process for new clinical staff
• Assist with clinical orientation and ongoing training of direct patient care personnel and facility staff
• Function as a preceptor in direct patient care training as determined by state-specific guidelines and regulations
• Deliver and maintain ongoing competency evaluations and audits to ensure performance standards of other PCTs
• Collaborate with the Clinical Manager and Education Coordinator in driving organizational quality standards through education on ESRD regulatory and legal requirements and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
• Assist in training direct patient care staff on applicable programs under nurse supervision
• Provide developmental support to clinical and facility staff
• Partner with RN and interdisciplinary team staff to educate personnel regarding facility water system integrity and safety
• Partner with RN and interdisciplinary team staff to educate personnel regarding environmental integrity, including patient and staff safety
• Ensure strong communication between Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, direct patient care staff, and support staff regarding training and organizational development programs
• Participate in implementing and potentially designing creative educational programs for PCT staff, including contests and team-based programs
• Collaborate with Clinical Managers and Education Coordinators in scheduling and implementing training programs as directed

Maintenance and Technical

• 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 all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate
• Perform all required pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT)
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS)

Record Keeping and Documentation

• Complete and document ongoing participation in CQI activities
• Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application in an accurate and timely manner
• Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures are documented
• Ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff
• Prepare initial patient charts for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate chart placement
• Prepare and print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat lab specimens according to laboratory destination
• Collect, label, appropriately prepare, and store lab samples according to required laboratory specifications
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier

Infection Control

• Assist with facility quality assurance and infection control audits
• Act as a change agent for infection control practices within the clinic
• Under the direction of the Clinical Manager or designee, monitor staff and patient adherence to infection control practices
• Reinforce new hire employee adherence to infection control policies and procedures
• Support ongoing staff and patient engagement on infection control practices under Clinical Manager direction, including participation in patient lobby days and staff meetings
• Quarterly, under Clinical Manager direction, reinforce patient and staff adherence to infection control policies through visual media such as posters, flyers, or bulletin boards
• Under Education Department direction, participate in education response to internal and external facility surveys
• Participate in and reinforce infection control education of patients and families under Clinical Manager direction as allowed by state law

Transitional Care Unit

• Follow all newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care
• Reinforce all education and care-related matters as it relates to new patients as allowed by state law
• Liaison with appropriate facility staff members to provide the best patient experience and ensure all disciplines are scheduled to see patients according to plan
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and how home dialysis can work for them
• Set up and perform a treatment on all machines used in the transitional care unit
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup
• Assist with coordination of transition to patient's modality choice
• Assist with supply ordering and inventory for the transitional care unit

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Day-to-day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians
• Position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community
• Travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings may be required
• Work environment is characteristic of a healthcare facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels
• May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases and materials
• Position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation
• Equipment aids and coworkers may provide assistance
• Position requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and the ability to bend over
• Employee may occasionally be required to push and pull equipment, exerting up to 15 pounds of force
• Employee may be required to lift and lower solutions on a frequent basis of up to 30 pounds and on an occasional basis up to 40 pounds, as high as 5 feet
• A two-person assist program and material assist devices are available for heavier items
• Employees are required to take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. Failing the test does not preclude employment; the company will consider whether reasonable accommodation can be made.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training as required
• Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards
• Attendance and active participation in all applicable preceptor training programs as established by education leadership
• Successful completion of the organizational dialysis training program
• Successful completion of CPR certification
• Attendance at Fresenius and publicly offered skill-based training as assigned by Clinical Manager

Preferred Qualifications

• At least five years of patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility