Inpatient Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Indianapolis, IN

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Inpatient Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the hemodialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy to assigned patients in an acute setting. The PCT works under the supervision of the FKC RN and follows Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) policies, procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The role includes preparing and operating equipment for renal replacement therapies when competency is documented, monitoring patients before, during, and after treatment, performing vascular access cannulation, recording treatment parameters, collecting specimens, responding to patient problems as directed, and documenting care. The PCT also helps maintain a safe and clean environment and supports quality improvement and productivity activities. The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility, regular interaction with patients and clinical staff, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to meetings. Work may include exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials, frequent prolonged standing and bending, and assisting with patient movement and equipment. Assistance devices or coworkers may be used 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 required state licensure, education, and training.
1–2 years of related experience.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending.
Ability to assist with patient lifting, movement, and ambulation; equipment aids or coworkers may provide assistance.
Ability to occasionally assist with 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.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care to assigned patients in the acute setting under the supervision of the FKC RN.
Promote and assist in maintaining 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 goals (TAP).
When competency and proficiency are documented, set up and prime equipment as directed by the Fresenius Nurse for hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement, and peritoneal dialysis therapies.
Welcome assigned patients, inquire about their well-being since their last treatment, and 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 weight, 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 setting blood flow and dialysate flow rates or providing peritoneal dialysis as prescribed by the attending nephrologist.
Collect and label specimens and ensure timely delivery to the laboratory according to facility policy.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed by physician’s order or as directed by the FMCNA RN.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis therapy and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform and document functions necessary to discontinue treatment.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patients’ responses to interventions.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; provide appropriate interventions, document findings, and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures.
Before termination of venous access, evaluate the patient, obtain standing and sitting blood pressures, achieve hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, and evaluate the patient before discharge; 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.