Patient Care Technician
Strive Health
2 reviews
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Owensboro, KY
Strive Health
2 reviews
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Job details
Salary
$21 an hour
Full Job Description
Position Summary:
Strive Healthcare is dedicated to providing superior care for patients with kidney disease. We strive to achieve both outstanding quality outcomes for our patients, and a rewarding career experience for our care-givers, all in an atmosphere of compassion, professionalism, empathy and respect. We commit ourselves to the philosophy that optimal care is attained through the (i) application of continuous quality improvement, (ii) investment in staff, (iii) education of patients, family, and the community at large, and (iv) advanced technology.
Responsible for support of the day to day operation of the kidney care facility, including home training. 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 Home Training (HT) nurse in accordance with policies, procedures. Responsible for the setup and operation of dialysis machines, monitor patients, reinforce education under RN supervision in compliance with regulations set forth by the corporation, state, and federal agencies. Assist in the maintenance of a safe and clean working environment. Supports the commitment to the Quality Assessment Program Improvement (QAPI) and CQI Activities, including those related to patient satisfaction and actively participates in process improvement activities that enhance the likelihood that patients will achieve the Quality Assessment Program Improvement (QAPI) goals.
Educational Requirement:
• High school diploma or equivalency
• Successful achievement of nation certification within 18 months of hire.
Experience:
• Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility preferred.
• Employees have to meet the necessary requirements of Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment.
• Successful completion of dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification and Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (Course C)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
Summary of Duties:
• Customer Service
• Responsible for driving the Strive Healthcare culture through values and customer service standards.
• Accountable for outstanding customer service to all external and internal customers.
• Develops and maintains effective relationships through effective and timely communication.
• Takes initiative and action to respond, report, resolve and follow up regarding customer service issues with all customers in a timely manner
• PATIENT CARE:
• 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 wellbeing 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 Homeostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
• Evaluate the patient 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.
• Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters onto the Treatment Sheet with initial identification.
• Responsible for accurate documentation of information related to patient treatment including completion of 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 .
• MAINTENANCE/TECHNICAL:
• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics - ensure all areas are safe and clean.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surface, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between trainings or patient visits according to facility policy.
• Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment, training or clinic visit and document where appropriate.
• Perform all required pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing).
• 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
• CLERICAL & ADMINISTRATIVE:
• Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
• Enters all treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and in a timely manner.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures are documented, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected where appropriate report any findings to manager.
• 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 required laboratory specifications.
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.
• OTHER:
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Assisting the Home Training RN:
• 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 and post draw (PCT certified phlebotomy or per state regulations)
• Clerical duties as assigned (faxing, mailing to physician offices etc.)
• Obtain home hemo water sampling as directed by the HT RN
• Set-up of the home hemo machine and PD Cycler.
• Assist with exit site care when directed by HT RN.
• Warm dialysate solution when directed by the HT RN
• Draw dialysate solution for testing as directed by the HT RN
• Creates and sends patient reminders (supply inventory for order, Kt/V collection, bringing meds to clinic visit for review)
• Assembles/breaks down charts / thins charts
• Maintains logs as directed and applicable
• Inventory of Home Program
• Maintains par levels of home department supplies
• Files home patient packing slips/invoices
• Inventory for Patients
• Assists patient with supply management and contacting customer service
• Teamwork
• Works with other members in a cooperative and efficient manner to provide the optimum environment for providing quality services:
• Supports other employees and team members
• Resolves conflicts in a professional manner
• Seeks to improve work processes and participates in Work Improvement Process and committees
• Communication
• Strives to use clear verbal communication with patients:
• Provides relevant, timely, accurate, and factual documentation in concurrence with job specifications (data collection)
• Informs appropriate individual(s) about work-related problems and concerns
• Demonstrates good listening skills and seeks ways to resolve disagreements
• Safety
• Because of possible contact with infectious diseases, good safety and personal hygiene habits are important. Because of potential exposure to environmental hazards, caution must be exercised to prevent injury. Injuries could be serious.
• Follows established safely rules and infection control standards
• Completes safety education requirements (inservices, tests, etc.)
• Complies with all safety standards (fire, chemical, environmental, infection control, and OSHA regulations)
• Demonstrates proper use of equipment and supplies to prevent damage
• Maintains a clean environment/work area
• Practices safe habits in work area
• Professional and Personal Growth
• Participates in in-services and takes advantage of educational opportunities to increase knowledge and grow professionally:
• Attends staff meetings and in-services as required for job responsibilities
• Participates in improving the quality of care given at the dialysis facility
• Seeks opportunities to increase job knowledge