PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

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 under organization policies procedures and training and in compliance with regulations set forth by the corporation state and federal agencies. Assists in the setup of home dialysis equipment and the maintenance of a safe and clean working environment within the home therapy program. Supports the organizations commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) 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 organizations Quality Enhancement Goals (QEP).

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 and as permissible per state laws regulations and policies.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Not Home Assist):

• Reinforces home hemodialysis (HHD) and/or peritoneal dialysis (PD) training as permitted by law.
• Identifies and welcomes patients obtains vital signs weights and gathers information needed to complete the Clinic Visit Intake form.
• Builds and maintains effective communication and collaboration processes and rapport with patients care partners the HT RN direct and non-direct patient care staff providers and other team members.
• Obtains treatment records from patients and/or systems reviews for completion 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.
• Provides home support as applicable and permissible.
• Prepares supplies for the collection of prescribed laboratory testing and prepares specimens for shipping.
• Assists with the tracking and shipping of transplant-related laboratory specimens and reinforces transplant education.
• Completes opening/closing daily chores and documents as appropriate.
• Disinfects dialysis machines chairs tables and other equipment in between patient visits and routinely.
• Prepares the exam/training room for home dialysis training treatment or other visits.
• Stocks exam training treatment and storage rooms with supplies.
• Develops or follows a process for the management of supplies to maximize use and minimize waste.
• Schedules patient appointments and contacts patients/caregivers regarding dates times and reminders.
• Supports patient registration and use of connected health.
• Assists patients and care partners with supplies/inventory ordering and management.
• Maintains logs and tracking.
• May order and track clinic/office supplies as directed.
• Participates in medical records infection control and other audit processes as directed.
• Actively collaborates with others during staff huddles or meetings.
• Helps collect required documentation for patient admission prepares and maintains the electronic and/or hard-copy patient chart as directed.
• Performs other clerical duties as assigned (answering phones faxing email provider office contact etc.).

Home Hemodialysis

• 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 the dialysis access before treatment documents all findings in the medical record and reports abnormal findings to the HT RN (when applicable and as directed).
• Initiates HHD treatment while monitoring and documenting patient status vital signs and machine data in the treatment record.
• Performs and documents safety checks during treatment at intervals designated by CMS and facility policy.
• Reports observed significant changes in patient status during treatment to the HT RN and documents in the medical record.
• Provides interventions during treatment in response to interdialytic events as required per provider/standing orders as directed permissible and documents the intervention and patients response.
• Obtains pre-treatment termination vitals and documents in the treatment record.
• Ensures hemostasis of the patient dialysis access is achieved before leaving the treatment area.
• Collects and documents post-treatment vitals in the treatment record and reports to the HT RN.
• Assists with quarterly semi-annual and annual water and dialysate testing as directed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Peritoneal Dialysis

• Reinforces PD training.
• Troubleshoots PD cycler modem and connectivity issues.

• Performs phlebotomy to obtain prescribed laboratory testing as directed (must meet state and/or competency requirements to perform).
• Sets up PD cycler and prepares and warms PD solutions as directed.
• Assists with exit site care as directed.
• May help tracking with PD equipment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Staff Related

• Participates in the recruitment process for new clinical staff.
• Assists with clinical orientation and supports ongoing training of all appropriate home therapies direct patient care personnel as well as the orientation of all facility staff to the organization.
• May function as a preceptor in-home therapy direct patient care training as determined by state-specific guidelines and regulations to support the delivery of quality patient care as per the standards outlined in the organizations Clinical Services Clinical Training Manual(s) organization policies and procedures and organization training standards.
• Delivers and maintains ongoing competency evaluations/audits to ensure the ongoing performance of other PCTs.
• Collaborates with Clinic Management and Education Coordinator in driving organization quality standards through education regarding all ESRD regulatory and legal requirements and the practice of Continuous Quality Improvement.
• Assists in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
• Provides developmental support to applicable clinical and facility staff.
• Partners with HT RN and IDT staff to educate the appropriate personnel regarding the maintenance of environmental integrity including patient and staff safety and of the facility.
• Ensures a strong communication process between Clinical Management Education Coordinators direct patient care staff and all support staff at the facility regarding appropriate training and organizational development programs and initiatives.
• Participates in implementing and potentially designing creative educational programs for PCT staff including contests and other team-based programs.
• Partners with the all IDT members including Kidney Care Advocates administrative staff and others in developing ideas to improve awareness of Home Therapies for in-center staff and patients.
• Collaborates with Clinical Management and Education Coordinators in the scheduling and implementation of training programs and processes as directed.
• Monitors processes in the delivery of patient care through regular Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
• Ensures all organizational business policies procedures and systems are incorporated into training including compliance with ethical business practices.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Employees are required to take Ishiharas Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. Note that: Failing the Ishihara Test for Color Blindness does not preclude employment. The Company will consider whether reasonable accommodations can be made.
• Day-to-day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients facility staff and physicians. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community. Travel to regional Business Unit and corporate meetings may be required.
• The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels. May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• The position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation. Equipment aids and/or coworkers may assist. This position requires frequent prolonged periods of standing and the employee must be able to bend over. The employee may occasionally be required to push and/or pull equipment exerting up to 15 pounds of force. The employee may be required to lift and lower solutions frequently of up to 30 lbs. and on an occasional lift basis up to 40 lbs. as high as 5 feet. There is a two-person assist program and material assist devices for heavier items.

EDUCATION AND LICENSES:

• High School diploma or G.E.D. required. Bachelors degree preferred.
• Must have a valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Center for Medicaid/Medicare (CMS)AII appropriate state licensure education and training (if any) required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture values and customer service standards.
• Attendance and active participation in all applicable preceptor training programs as established by education leadership.
• Attends Fresenius and publicly offered skill-based training as assigned by Clinical Management.

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIRED SKILLS:

• At least five years of patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred.
• Continued employment is dependent on the successful completion of the organizations dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.

Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.