Patient Care Technician - Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.

Fresenius Travel Nurse Program:

As part of the Fresenius Travel Nurse program, you'll have a unique opportunity to build your career in a flexible, autonomous environment. Working with new and different people and personalities, and with physicians and nurses from various facilities, will make each day an exciting challenge. Through it all, you'll make a profound difference in the lives of patients affected by kidney disease. Come join a leader in Dialysis, where assignments are ongoing, as we have over 2,200 clinics and numerous acute facility programs, so travel with us can be continuous.

Benefits:

• 13 week assignment
• Variety of settings
• Acute or Chronic care positions
• Top salaries
• Paid time off
• Free private housing
• Growth Opportunity

Position Specific Details:

• Anticipated Start Date:
• Expected call time:
• Hours/Shifts:
• Machine type:
• Proton/AMI/eCube:
• Patient Ratio:
• Number of Chairs/Stations:

Purpose and Scope:

Functions as part of the hemodialysis health care team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse in accordance with FMS policies, procedures, 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 FMS mission, vision, values, and customer service philosophy.
 
Duties / Activities:
 
Patient Care:

Assist other health care members in providing patient specific education regarding adequacy measures where appropriate - Online Clearance Monitoring (OLC), Adequacy Monitoring Program (AMP), Access Flow Testing, Urea Kinetic Modeling (UKM), and regarding disease process, dialysis treatment and vascular access.

Dialysis Treatment:

• Review dialysis patient specific treatment orders on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet.
• Set up the dialysis machine using the prescribed acid and bicarbonate solutions.
• Welcome assigned patients and inquire as to their wellbeing since their last treatment.  Report any complaints or observations to the nurse supervisor / team leader.
• Obtain necessary pre and post treatment vital signs and weight.  Report unusual findings to nurse supervisor.
• Assist with transfer or lifting patient into and out of the dialysis char if necessary.
• Perform vascular access evaluation pre-treatment, evaluate for patency, signs of infection, or other changes and report unusual findings to nurse supervisor / team leader.
• Perform vascular access cannulation and report any difficulties in cannulation or unusual findings to nurse supervisor / team leader.
• For patients with central venous catheters, prepare the catheter for treatment initiation and termination if allowed by state law.
• Perform administration of Heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
• Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD).
• Responsible for ensuring appropriates safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160.
• Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide intervention as prescribed by physician order or as directed by the nurse supervisor / team leader.
• Take vital signs during the treatment according to facility policy and as indicated by changes in patient's condition.
• Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy and report any unusual findings to nurse supervisor / team leader.
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion; perform all relevant functions necessary for the discontinuation of treatment - document.
• Evaluate patient prior to termination of treatment - including performing standing & sitting blood pressure.
• Obtain hemostasis of vascular access following removal of needles and apply appropriate dressings.
• Evaluate the patient prior to discharge and report any unusual findings to nurse supervisor / team leader.

Documentation of information:

• Document all testing performed as part of maintenance or technical duties.
• Document safety checks on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet.
• 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.
• Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters onto the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification.
• Responsible for documenting On-line Clearance (OLC) and Access Flow.
• Responsible for accurate documentation of information related to patient treatment including completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and, if applicable, progress notes.
• Enter treatment information from Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet into the information System.

Monitoring duties and testing:

• Report any significant information and / or change in patient condition directly to the nurse supervisor / team leader.
• 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 patient's 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 / team leader.
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.

Maintenance / Technical:

• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics - ensure all areas are safe and clean.
• Assist with disposal of hazardous waste.
• Calibrate water treatment meters and Glucometer devices.
• Mix bicarbonate solution or Granuflo in preparation for dialysis treatments.
• Monitor reverse osmosis system.
• Fill dialysate solution containers.
• Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate.
• Perform Diasafe filter testing on machines every other week.
• Perform all required pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT).
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) and rinse at the end of the treatment day.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surface, chair, equipment and surrounding area between treatments according to facility policy.
• 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.

Clerical & Administrative:

• Participate in and document activities related to Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
• Enter all treatment data into Proton accurately and in a timely manner.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures are documented for medications administered, other nursing notes, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected where appropriate.
• Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement in chart.
• Prepare lab requisitions for prescribed or stat Lab specimens according to laboratory destination.
• Collect, label, appropriately prepare and store lab samples according to required laboratory specifications.
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.

Other

• Perform additional duties as assigned.