Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Alexandria, VA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organizational policies and procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities that support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including checking patient wellbeing and vascular access, obtaining and recording weights and vital signs, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patient response, responding to issues as directed, and documenting treatment and interventions. The PCT also performs machine safety checks, prepares supplies and equipment, collects and prepares laboratory samples, supports infection control, and assists with patient education and staff training under the direction of a nurse. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, helps coordinate transitional care and education, supports patients in understanding treatment and home dialysis options, and assists with treatment setup and supply inventory. The role requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations and may require travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation, with equipment or coworker assistance where available.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility.

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines, including programming prescribed treatment parameters and ensuring appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their prior treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform patient evaluations before, during, and after treatment.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Monitor patients' responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings, then evaluate patients before discharge.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly in the required treatment records and clinical application.
Conduct machine safety checks and required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and infection control policies and practices.
Participate in and document CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm required nursing signatures, and ensure omissions are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection control audits and reinforce infection control education for patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate services, and help patients understand home dialysis products and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with coordination of patients' modality choices.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.