Patient Care Technician PCT CCHT Dialysis

Home Therapy PCT II position- must be CCHT certified

*Paid one on one training and education provided
*Empower engage and train dialysis patients on peritoneal and home hemodialysis using state of the art training programs and equipment
*Primarily works in the clinic setting and conducts initial home visits with another staff member present
*Position functions as an onsite Patient Educator and Case Manager for patients with various shifts and work hours

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team in providing safe and effective home dialysis therapy and training for patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse under organization policies procedures and training and in compliance with regulations set forth by the corporation state and federal agencies. Assist s in the setup of home dialysis equipment and the maintenance of a safe and clean working environment within the home therapy program. Supports the organizations 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 organizations Quality Enhancement Goals (QEP).

All duties and responsibilities of the PCT II HT are to be performed under the direct supervision of the Home Therapies registered nurse (HT RN) in compliance with and as permissible per state laws regulations and policies.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Not Home Assist):

• Reinforces home hemodialysis (HHD) and/or peritoneal dialysis (PD) training as permitted by law.
• Identifies and welcomes patients obtains vital signs weights and gathers information needed to complete the Clinic Visit Intake form.
• Builds and maintains strong communication and collaboration processes and rapport with patients care partners the HT RN direct and non-direct patient care staff providers and other team members.
• Obtains treatment records from patients and/or systems reviews for completion and reports missing or abnormal data to the HT RN.
• Assists with electronic home treatment/medication/oral nutritional supplement reconciliation and reports missing data/orders to the HT RN.
• May assist HT RNs with home visits.
• Provides home support as applicable and permissible.
• Prepares supplies for the collection of prescribed laboratory testing and prepares specimens for shipping.
• Assists with the tracking and shipping of transplant-related laboratory specimens and reinforces transplant education.
• Completes opening/closing daily chores and documents as appropriate.
• Disinfects dialysis machines chairs tables and other equipment in between patient visits and routinely.
• Prepares the exam/training room for home dialysis training treatment or other visits.
• Stocks exam training treatment and storage rooms with supplies.
• Develops or follows a process for the management of supplies to maximize use and minimize waste.
• Schedules patient appointments and contacts patients/caregivers regarding dates times and reminders.
• Supports patient registration and use of connected health.
• Assists patients and care partners with supplies/inventory ordering and management.
• Maintains logs and tracking.
• May order and track clinic/office supplies as directed.
• Participates in medical records infection control and other audit processes as directed.
• Actively collaborates with others during staff huddles or meetings.
• Helps collect required documentation for patient admission prepares and maintains the electronic and/or hard-copy patient chart as directed.
• Performs other clerical duties as assigned (answering phones faxing email provider office contact etc.).

Home Hemodialysis

• Reinforces HHD training.

• Sets up tears down programs tests and disinfects the HHD machine as directed.
• Troubleshoots HHD Machinery/tools and connectivity issues.
• Prepares dialysate for use as directed.

• Prepares dialysis supplies for HHD treatment according to standing/provider orders.
• Evaluates the dialysis access before treatment documents all findings in the medical record and reports abnormal findings to the HT RN.
• Initiates HHD treatment while monitoring and documenting patient status vital signs and machine data in the treatment record.
• Performs and documents safety checks during treatment at intervals designated by CMS and facility policy.
• Reports observed significant changes in patient status during treatment to the HT RN and documents in the medical record.
• Provides interventions during treatment in response to interdialytic events and documents in the medical record as directed and permissible.
• Obtains pre-treatment termination vitals and documents in the treatment record.
• Ensures hemostasis of the patient dialysis access is achieved before leaving the treatment area.
• Collects and documents post-treatment vitals in the treatment record and reports to the HT RN.
• Assists with quarterly semi-annual and annual water and dialysate testing as directed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Peritoneal Dialysis

• Reinforces PD training.
• Troubleshoots PD cycler modem and connectivity issues.

• Performs phlebotomy to obtain prescribed laboratory testing as directed (must meet state and/or competency requirements to perform).
• Sets up PD cycler and prepares and warms PD solutions as directed.
• Assists with exit site care as directed.
• May help with tracking of PD equipment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Staff Related

• Participates in the recruitment process for new clinical staff.
• Assists with clinical orientation and supports ongoing training of all appropriate home therapies direct patient care personnel as well as the orientation of all facility staff to the organization.
• Partners with all IDT members including Kidney Care Advocates administrative staff and others in developing ideas to improve awareness of Home Therapies for in-center staff and patients.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Employees are required to take Ishiharas Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. Note : failing the Ishihara Test for Color Blindness does not preclude employment. The company will consider whether reasonable accommodations can be made.
• 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. Travel to regional Business Unit and corporate meetings may be required.
• The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels. May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials
• The position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation. Equipment aids and/or coworkers may assist. 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 to lift and lower solutions frequently of up to 30 lbs. and on an occasional lift basis up to 40 lbs. as high as 5 feet. There is a two-person assist program and material assist devices for heavier items.

EDUCATION AND LICENSES:

• High School diploma or G.E.D. required.

• Must have a valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS).
• All appropriate state licensure education and training (if any) required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture values and customer service standards

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIRED SKILLS :

• At least two years of previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred.
• Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organizations dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.

Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

Required Experience:

IC