PCT in Training

Hemodialysis Patient Care Technician

The Hemodialysis Patient Care Technician is trained in providing hemodialysis therapies to patients with chronic renal failure. The Patient Care Technician works under the supervision of the Administrator, Nurse Supervisor, Registered Nurse and Medical Director. The Hemodialysis Patient Care Technician must promote, support and adhere to all policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.

All RRH employees must perform their job responsibilities according to all RRH Hospital policies, as well as to accrediting organizations, federal and state regulation, and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines, as applicable.

Duties include:

• Performing duties that are required to prepare the equipment and supplies for the dialysis treatments.
• Cleaning, disinfecting and rinsing dialysis machines according to protocol.
• Preparing machines for hemodialysis treatments, including checking alarms and conductivity.
• Troubleshooting machine alarms.
• Safely operating all dialysis-related equipment.
• Reporting machine problems to equipment technician and charge nurse.
• Familiar with all emergency equipment and all emergency operational procedures.
• Assisting with the care of the patient as directed by RN.
• Taking vitals and obtaining patient weights.
• Preparing supplies for hemodialysis.
• Monitoring patients during dialysis treatments.
• Reporting any significant information or change in patient condition to the Charge Nurse as outlined in safety parameters.
• Responsible for accurate and timely documentation of information related to patient treatment.
• Recognizing changes in patients' status from one treatment to another.
• Disinfecting all necessary equipment including bicarbonate containers, hemostats and patient clamps as directed per facility protocol.
• Stocking hemodialysis carts. Using efficient, cost effective practices with inventory control and resource use.
• Understanding and following prescribed parameters for reporting to RN.
• Maintaining a safe and clean working environment.
• Actively participating in unit staff meetings and in-services.
• Administering oxygen per RN direction.
• Checking blood glucose and reporting readings to the appropriate staff.
• Checking PO2 per RN direction.
• Following Bio-Hazard waste policies per facility protocol.
• Performing additional duties and is responsible for specific projects that are assigned according to ability and experience, by the Administrator, Supervising Nurse, Charge Nurse or RN.
• Must be able to push and pull heavy medical equipment (on wheels) weighing up to 200 pounds on a daily basis.
• Must be capable of verifying visual and audio alarms on machines.
• Must be able to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.
• Must have full range of body motion and flexibility.
• Must have ability to climb, reach, kneel, stoop, and bend on a daily basis.
• Must comply with all hospital personnel policies.
• Mixes bicarbonate according to protocol.
• Assist in patient care-plan meetings when appropriate.
• Provides in-service education to employees and patients as directed.
• Able to initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatment for four patients unassisted per shift.
• Performs Primary Care Technician duties.
• Is able to open and close the facility independently; including the water treatment room when trained.
• Takes call as assigned.
• Able to recognize variables in treatment and patients that are different from the usual.
• Participates in Lab activities as assigned.
• Contributes to investigations, and solutions for unit occurrences with patients and general problems.
• Assists with disruptive and non-compliant patients.
• Reviews policy and procedures as assigned and reports back to management team.

Requirements:

Education: Must be certified by a nationally recognized board as a dialysis patient care technician within 18 months of hire. Must have a High School diploma or alternative.

Experience: Successful completion of a training course in the theory and practice of hemodialysis that is approved by the medical director and governing body. CPR certification. Understanding of Basic Medical Terminology.