Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Overview

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, in accordance with organization policies, procedures, training, and regulatory requirements. Assists in the setup of home dialysis equipment and maintains a safe, clean home therapy environment. Supports the organization's Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI activities, including patient satisfaction initiatives, and participates in process improvement to help achieve QEP goals.

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

• Reinforces home hemodialysis (HHD) and/or peritoneal dialysis (PD) training as permitted by law.
• Identifies and greets patients, obtains vital signs and weights, and gathers information needed to complete the Clinic Visit Intake form.
• Builds and maintains effective communication and collaboration with patients, care partners, the HT RN, direct and non-direct care staff, providers, and other team members.
• Obtains treatment records, reviews for completeness, 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 and provides home support as applicable and permissible.
• Prepares supplies for laboratory testing and prepares specimens for shipping; assists with tracking and shipping of transplant-related specimens and reinforces transplant education.
• Completes opening/closing daily chores and documents as appropriate; disinfects equipment between patient visits.
• Prepares exam/training rooms for home dialysis training or visits; stocks rooms with supplies.
• Manages supplies to maximize use and minimize waste.
• Schedules patient appointments and communicates dates, times, and reminders to patients/caregivers.
• Supports patient registration and use of connected health; assists with supplies/inventory management.
• Maintains logs and tracking; may order and track clinic/office supplies as directed.
• Participates in medical records, infection control, and other audit processes; collaborates during staff huddles or meetings.
• Assists in collecting documentation for patient admission and maintains electronic and/or hard-copy charts; performs other clerical duties as assigned.

• Reinforces HHD training and education with the HT training RN.
• Sets up, tears down, programs, tests, and disinfects the HHD machine as directed.
• Troubleshoots HHD equipment and connectivity issues.
• Prepares dialysis equipment and supplies for HHD treatment as directed.
• Evaluates dialysis access before treatment; documents findings and reports abnormal findings as directed.
• Initiates HHD treatment, monitors patient status, vital signs, and machine data; documents in the treatment record.
• Performs and documents safety checks during treatment per CMS intervals and facility policy.
• Reports significant changes in patient status to the HT RN and documents in the medical record.
• Provides interventions during treatment as required by provider/standing orders; documents intervention and patient response.
• Obtains pre-treatment termination vitals and documents in the treatment record.
• Ensures hemostasis of the dialysis access before leaving the treatment area.
• Collects and documents post-treatment vitals and reports to the HT RN.
• Assists with quarterly, semi-annual, and annual water and dialysate testing as directed.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Reinforces PD training.
• Troubleshoots PD cycler, modem, and connectivity issues.
• Performs phlebotomy for prescribed laboratory testing as directed (must meet state and/or competency requirements).
• Sets up PD cycler and prepares/warms PD solutions as directed.
• Assists with exit site care as directed.
• May assist with PD equipment tracking.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Participates in the recruitment…