Acute Inpatient Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Metairie, LA

About The Position

The Acute Inpatient Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the hemodialysis healthcare team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy to assigned patients. The PCT works under the supervision of the FKC RN and follows company policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulatory requirements. The role includes preparing and operating equipment for renal replacement therapies when competency is documented, monitoring patients before, during, and after treatment, documenting treatment information, and reporting unusual findings to the RN. The position also supports a safe, clean care environment and participates in quality and productivity initiatives. The work takes place in a healthcare facility and includes interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. The role requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to meetings may also be required. The work environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise levels, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The job requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending, and may occasionally involve assisting with moving equipment weighing up to 200 pounds and lifting chemical or water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds as high as five feet. A two-person assist program and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS).
Any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the position.
1–2 years of related experience.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and moving, and occasional assistance moving equipment and lifting solutions.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care under the supervision of the FKC RN and help maintain a safe and clean working environment.
Support the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement initiatives.
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 pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Perform vascular access cannulation and report cannulation difficulties or unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, 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 blood flow and dialysate flow rates or prescribed peritoneal dialysis.
Collect and label specimens and ensure their timely delivery to the laboratory according to facility policy.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed by the FMCNA RN, monitor the patient's response to therapy, and report unusual findings.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform the functions needed to discontinue treatment, including documentation.
Report changes or unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document the patient's response.
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.
Before terminating venous access, evaluate the patient and obtain standing and sitting blood pressures; achieve hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, evaluate the patient before discharge, and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Perform and record pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, weight, and vital signs with initial identification.
Perform other duties as required.