The Dialysis Patient Care Technician’s (PCT) position is part of the healthcare team in the Hemodialysis Unit. The Dialysis PCT performs direct and indirect patient care tasks under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and as directed by the department nurse manager. The Dialysis PCT assists hemodialysis nursing staff, nephrologists, and licensed independent practitioners (LIP) with the performance of dialysis procedures. The Dialysis PCT supports unit operations by ensuring the delivery of quality care in a safe and comfortable environment within the hemodialysis unit or at the patient’s bedside. Dialysis PCTs are an integral part of the care team by monitoring and caring for patients before, during, and after dialysis treatment. PCTs also support operations by setting up and turning over the dialysis equipment pre-and post-treatment. The Dialysis PCT will be on call once per week and scheduled to work every other weekend are requirements of this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:  Essential functions indicate those key responsibilities that meet one or more of the following descriptors: (1) the position exists to perform the function, (2) the number of employees available to perform the function is limited, (3) the function is so highly specialized that the person is hired for his/her expertise or ability to perform the function.  The percentage of duties must equal 100%

 

 

Key Responsibilities & Performance Standards

 

1. Patient Care
   1. Welcomes and assists with admitting and discharge patients to department
   2. Obtains vital signs and patient weights as ordered by LIP or assigned by RN
   3. Assists and performs cannulation or decannulation of patient’s vascular access in order to initiate or terminate HD treatment
   4. Understands all the critical alarms of the HD equipment and responds appropriately including
      1. Escalating to RN when appropriate to provide patient care or intervention to address change in patient condition or alarm
      2. Recognizing abnormal or life-threatening changes in the patient’s condition and notifying the RN or LIP for immediate attention
   5. Assists and performs patient care during HD treatment including
      1. Monitoring patient for adverse reaction
      2. Monitoring hemodialysis machine for malfunction
      3. Providing explanation of HD procedure and operation of hemodialysis machine to patient before, during, and after treatment
         1. Responding to call lights and ensuring that call lights are within reach at all times
         2. Collecting specimens as directed by LIP or RN
         3. Assisting patient with toileting and hygiene needs
         4. Providing and maintaining needed comfort measures e.g. blankets, pillows, etc.
      4. Assists with care coordination by helping with
         1. Ordering patient’s food
         2. Entering requests for transportation to and from the department
      5. Uses electronic health record to document patient care performed during pre- and post-HD treatment.

 

 

2. Dialysis Equipment and Supplies Maintenance
   1. Assists with preparing appropriate supplies and equipment for all assigned HD treatments
      1. Including setting up, operating, disassembly of HD equipment
   2. Manages department inventory
      1. Requisitions and restocks supplies as needed for HD disposables, linens, food stock, office supplies, and other items as needed
      2. Rotates dated items on shelves
      3. Participates in equipment and supplies evaluations
      4. Troubleshoots and maintains equipment and supplies for dialysis treatments and unit operations
   3. Ensure HD, portable reverse osmosis (RO) and central RO machines are operating within the parameters set in the facility and regulatory standards
      1. Initiating disinfection of dialysis equipment
      2. Inspect dialysis equipment settings, including pressures, conductivity (proportion of chemicals to water), and temperature to ensure conformance to safety standards
      3. Performs surveillance and testing of dialysis water treatment equipment and dialysis water (such as chlorine, hardness, conductivity, water cultures) and document appropriately on logs
      4. Inspecting water room
         1. To ensure that CWP and other water room equipment is in proper working order
         2. For damage or signs of water leak
      5. Submitting appropriate work orders to repair broken equipment to facilities or clinical technology services departments

 

 

3. Quality and data analysis
   1. Assists Departmental Leadership in their efforts to monitor and evaluate applicable standards.
   2. Maintains quality monitoring and technical logs for HD, portable RO, and central RO machines
   3. Maintains current knowledge of departmental benchmarks and initiatives
   4. Works toward continuous process and system improvement

 

 

4. Indirect care and support to patients, team members, and department.
   1. Assisting with clerical duties such as answering telephones, using copier machine or facsimile machines, and other duties as assigned by RN or departmental leadership.

 

 

 

Required

Education:

 

High school diploma or GED certificate.

Experience:

 

Must have a minimum of one (1) year experience as a Dialysis Technician OR LPN in a dialysis setting.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

 

 

Registrations, Certifications and/or Licenses:

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association (AHA)
• Current certification as a “Certified Hemodialysis Technician” (CHDT) OR current licensed practical nurse (LPN) license granted by the Oregon Health Authority.

Compliance:

 

• Code of conduct
• Respect in the workplace
• Applicable policies, procedures and agreements related to position, department or OHSU as a whole

Preferred

One (1) year experience as a Dialysis Technician OR LPN in an acute dialysis setting.

Experience working in adult and pediatric dialysis patients.

 

 

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.


As an organization devoted to the health and well-being of people in Oregon and beyond, OHSU requires its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.