Acute Inpatient Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Metairie, LA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Acute Inpatient Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the hemodialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy to assigned patients. The role follows Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) policies, procedures, and training requirements, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. Patient care is provided under the supervision of the FKC registered nurse in the acute setting. The PCT prepares for and supports renal replacement therapies, monitors patients before, during, and after treatment, and documents treatment parameters and patient responses. The role also supports a safe and clean work environment, quality improvement activities, and productivity goals. Work takes place in a health care facility and involves travel between assigned facilities and other community locations. Direct patient care includes physical activity such as lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and periods of prolonged standing.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
1–2 years of related experience.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community; travel to meetings may be required.
Ability to perform the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation.
May be required to assist in moving machines and equipment weighing up to 200 lbs. and lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 lbs. to a height of 5 feet; assistance devices and a two-person assist program are available.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care to assigned patients in the acute setting under the supervision of the FKC RN.
Promote and help maintain a safe and clean working environment.
Support the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities, patient satisfaction efforts, and process improvement activities.
Promote and assist in meeting Total Area Productivity (TAP) goals.
When competency and proficiency are documented, set up and prime equipment for renal replacement therapies as directed by the Fresenius Nurse.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their well-being since their last treatment; report complaints or observations to the FMCNA RN.
Evaluate vascular access for patency and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, reporting unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Perform vascular access cannulation and report difficulties or unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, sodium modeling, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including narrow venous limits (NVL 160).
Record accurate and timely vital signs and treatment parameters on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification.
Initiate renal replacement treatment according to prescribed orders, including prescribed blood flow and dialysate flow rates or peritoneal dialysis.
Collect and label specimens and ensure timely delivery to the laboratory according to facility policy.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed or directed by the FMCNA RN; monitor and report the patient’s response to therapy.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform and document functions required to discontinue treatment.
Report patient changes or unusual findings to the FMCNA RN; document interventions and patient responses for unusual patient status.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as appropriate, document, and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures.
Evaluate patients before termination of venous access, obtain standing and sitting blood pressures, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate the patient before discharge and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Perform and record pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, weights, and vital signs with initial identification.
Perform other duties as required.