Patient Care Technician Preceptor - PCT III - Dialysis

Job Title

MUST HAVE CCHT CERTIFICATION!

Locations To Cover: Newnan, Palmetto, Fayetteville, Coweta, Lagrange, Roanoke

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

• 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.
• 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.
• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures and evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access.
• 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, 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. Assists patients in performing self-care as applicable.

Staff Related

• Participates in the recruitment process for new clinical staff.
• Assists with clinical orientation and on-going training of all appropriate direct patient care personnel as well as the orientation of all facility staff.
• Will function as a preceptor in direct patient care training.
• Delivers and maintains on-going competency evaluations/audits to ensure ongoing performance of other PCT's.
• Collaborates with the Clinical Manager and Education Coordinator in driving organization quality standards.
• Assists in training of applicable direct patient care staff.
• Provides developmental support to applicable clinical and facility staff.

Education/Communication

• Partners with RN and IDT staff to educate the appropriate personnel regarding the integrity and safety of the facility water systems.
• Partners with RN and IDT staff to educate the appropriate personnel regarding the maintenance of environmental integrity.
• Ensures a strong communication process between the Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, direct patient care staff, and all support staff at the facility.
• Participates in implementing and potentially designs creative educational programs for PCT staff.
• Collaborates with Clinical Managers and Education Coordinators in the scheduling and implementation of training programs and processes.
• Monitors processes in the delivery of patient care through regular Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
• Ensures all organization business policies, procedures, and systems incorporated into training.

Maintenance/Technical

• 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.
• Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate.
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.

Record Keeping

• Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
• Enters all treatment data into the designated clinical application.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness.
• Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork.
• Prepare/print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat Lab specimens.
• Collect, label, appropriately prepare, and store lab samples.
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.

Infection Control

• Assists with facility QAI infection control audits.
• Acts as a change agent for infection control practices.
• Reinforces new hire employee adherence to infection control Policies and Procedures.
• Supports ongoing staff and patient engagement on infection control practices.
• Quarterly reinforces patient and staff adherence to infection control Policies and Procedures.
• Participates in education response to internal and external facility surveys.
• Participates in infection control education of patients and families.

Transitional Care Unit

• Follows all newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis.
• Reinforces all education and care related matters.
• Liaisons with appropriate FKC staff members.
• Assures patient understanding of home dialysis products.
• Sets and performs a treatment on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
• Assists in assuring patient understanding of treatment options.
• Assists with coordination of transition to patient's modality choice.
• Assists with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Employees are required to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment.
• Day to day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians.
• The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community.
• The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels.
• 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.
• The employee may occasionally be required to push and/or pull equipment, exerting up to 15 pounds of force.
• The employee may be required to lift and to lower solutions on a