Patient Care Technician - PCT - LOUISIANA STAFFING : Job Details

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. 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 and CQI activities.

Principal duties and responsibilities include:

• Patient Related:
  • Assist other health care members in providing patient specific detailed education.
  • 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.
  • Obtain necessary pre and post treatment vital signs and weight and perform vascular access evaluation.
  • Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders.
  • Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide intervention.
  • 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.
  • Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
  • Evaluate the patient prior to discharge.
  • Perform and record pre and post dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs.
  • Responsible for calculating and entry of individual patients' dialysis machine programming.
  • Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
  • Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters.
  • Responsible for accurate documentation of information related to patient treatment.
  • Report any significant information and/or change in patient condition directly to the registered nurse or supervisor.
  • Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks.
  • Perform and document any intervention for unusual patient status.
  • Evaluate patients' vascular access during treatment.
  • Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
  • Ensure that all blood spills are immediately cleaned with appropriate disinfectant.
  • Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment.
  • Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of RN.
• Staff Related: Assists in training of applicable direct patient care staff.
• Education/Communication: Follows all organization business policies, procedures and systems incorporated into training.

Record keeping includes:

• 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.
• Prepare/print lab requisitions.
• Collect, label, appropriately prepare and store lab samples.
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.

Infection control includes:

• Assists in collecting information for infection control audits.
• Supports staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
• Follows infection control policies and procedures.
• Participates in and reinforces infection control education.

Transitional care unit includes:

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

Physical demands and working conditions include:

• Day to day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients.
• The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community.
• The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility.
• The position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients.

Education and licenses include:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements.
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.

Experience and required skills include:

• 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.