Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Fayetteville, NC

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of a dialysis health care team and provides safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, along with applicable state and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supports quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts related to patient satisfaction and process improvement. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment. Duties include welcoming patients; assessing their wellbeing and vascular access; obtaining and documenting vital signs and weights; initiating, monitoring, and discontinuing dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures; responding to treatment issues; and reporting significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also documents treatment data, performs machine safety checks, collects and prepares laboratory specimens, and cleans and disinfects equipment and treatment areas. Additional responsibilities include supporting staff training, infection-control practices, and continuous quality improvement activities. In a Transitional Care Unit, the technician helps coordinate care and education for newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, supports understanding of treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with treatment setup, modality transitions, and supply inventory. The work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, and bending. The technician may occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees 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.

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 organizational 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.
Ability to perform the described physical functions, including patient movement and lifting requirements, with assistance or devices where provided.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including pre-treatment vascular access evaluation and patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and monitor patient responses to therapy.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, evaluate patients before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and complete and document pre- and post-dialysis evaluations.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Record accurate, timely vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, and other patient treatment information in the required treatment sheets and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, provide appropriate interventions, and document and report unusual findings.
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 follow facility policy.
Prepare, organize, 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 programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices incorporated into training.
Maintain safe and clean surroundings; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between patients.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document preparation as appropriate, conduct required pre-treatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and support patient and family education under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transitions to patients' chosen modalities, and help manage TCU supplies and inventory.