Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Asheboro, NC

21d

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 organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and participates in quality improvement activities intended to improve patient satisfaction and help patients achieve organizational quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient assessments, vascular access care, cannulation, treatment setup and monitoring, vital-sign and weight collection, documentation, specimen collection, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also assists with patient education, staff training, infection control, and continuous quality improvement activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, supports patients in understanding treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with modality transitions, supplies, and inventory. The role involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians, as well as travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. The work takes place in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Physical demands include frequent, prolonged standing; bending; heavy lifting and moving of patients; assisting with ambulation; and lifting solutions and equipment, including items weighing up to 40 pounds on an occasional basis. Equipment or coworker assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions and equipment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, the disease process, and vascular access, as appropriate and within applicable law.
Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre-treatment and discharge evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings, and calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment times, and modeling.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document patient response.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Ensure machine safety alarms are enabled, conduct machine safety checks, and report unusual findings or patient-condition changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and maintain a safe, clean, and orderly work environment.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm tests, including Pressure Holding Tests, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimen collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under direction as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary visits.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of the transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.