Patient Care Technician - PCT - Training Provided

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist other health care members in providing patient specific detailed education regarding adequacy measures where appropriate
• 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
• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures and evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access
• Obtain Hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings
• 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
• 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
• Evaluate patients' vascular access during treatment including arterial and venous monitoring pressures
• 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
• Assists in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse
• 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 perform all required pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT)
• 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
• 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, appropriately prepare and store lab samples according required laboratory specifications
• Assists in collecting information for infection control audits
• Follows infection control Policies and Procedures
• Follows all newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinating their transitional dialysis care
• Assists in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits of home and how home dialysis can work for them
• Assists with supply ordering and inventory for TCU

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Employees are required to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community. The position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation. This position requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and the employee must be able to bend over.

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.

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 dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.