Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

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’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI activities, including those related to patient satisfaction, and actively participates in process improvement activities that support the organization Quality Enhancement Goals (QEP).

Patient Related

• Education: Assist other health care members in providing patient-specific detailed education regarding adequacy measures where appropriate (Online Clearance Monitoring, Adequacy Monitoring Program, Urea Kinetic Modeling, disease process/content and access).
• Treatment: Welcome assigned patients and inquire as to their wellbeing since their last treatment; evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or as allowed by state law; obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight; perform vascular access evaluation pre-treatment; initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders (QB, QD); evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed;
  
  monitor patient response to therapy; obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion and complete relevant documentation; discontinue dialysis and evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access; obtain hemostasis and apply dressings; evaluate patient prior to discharge; perform and record pre- and post-dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs with initial identification; calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for UF goal, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed;
  
  ensure safety alarms are enabled (including NVL 160); record information on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification; document all patient treatment information and progress notes; report significant changes to the RN or supervisor; observe patient and perform machine safety checks; document any intervention and patient response; monitor vascular access pressures and intervene as needed; obtain prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens;
  
  clean spills per policy; prepare and organize supplies to prevent wastage; monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.

Staff Related

• Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff under the supervision of a nurse.

Education/Communication

• Follow organization policies and procedures and maintain ethical business practices.
• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics; ensure areas are safe and clean.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments; perform pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT); initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS).

RECORD KEEPING

• Participate in CQI activities and enter all treatment data accurately and timely into the designated clinical application.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures, and address omitted entries with appropriate staff; prepare initial patient chart for admission and paperwork for chart placement; prepare/print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat lab specimens; collect, label, and store lab samples per lab specifications; ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.

INFECTION CONTROL

• Assist in collecting information for infection control audits; support adherence to infection control practices; follow infection control policies and procedures; participate in infection control education of patients and families as allowed by state law.

TRANSITIONAL CARE UNIT

• Monitor newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care; reinforce education and care related to new patients as allowed by state law; liaise with staff to ensure coordinated…