Patient Care Technician - PCT

* Assist other health care members in providing patient specific detailed education regarding adequacy measures where appropriate - Online Clearance Monitoring (OLC) Adequacy Monitoring Program (AMP) Urea Kinetic Modeling (UKM) and regarding disease process/access.
* Welcome assigned patients and inquire as to their well-being since their last treatment. Report any complaints or observations to the nurse supervisor.
* Evaluate vascular access for patency and report any unusual findings to nurse supervisor.
* Obtain necessary pre and post treatment vital signs and weight.  Report unusual findings to nurse supervisor.
* Perform vascular access evaluation pre-treatment and report unusual findings to nurse supervisor.
* Perform vascular access cannulation and report any difficulties in cannulation or unusual findings to nurse supervisor.
* Perform administration of Heparin as delegated or as allowed by state law.
* Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD).
* Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide intervention as prescribed by physician order or as directed.
* Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy and report any unusual findings to nurse supervisor.
* Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion; perform all relevant functions necessary for the discontinuation of treatment - document.
* Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures
* Evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access - standing & sitting blood pressure.
* Obtain Hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
* Evaluate the patient for prior to discharge and report any unusual findings to nurse supervisor.
* 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;
Sodium (Na) modeling; and UF modeling as prescribed.
* Responsible for ensuring appropriate safety alarms are enabled including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 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 nurse supervisor.
* Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.  Report any change or unusual findings to the nurse 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 nurse supervisor.
* Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
* 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 according to facility policy.
* Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate.
* Perform all required pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT).
* Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
* 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.
* May assist HT RN on Home Visit as directed
* Reinforces  PD / HHD education under supervision of qualified HT RN
* Schedules and contacts patients regarding appointments
* Weigh patient and obtain vital signs
* Collect treatment records and review for completion. Notify RN of incomplete / missing records.
* Cleaning and prepping treatment room; prep charts
* Preparing lab tubes and requisitions & assisting with lab draw days both pre…