Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•The Dalles, OR

15d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organizational 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 supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvements intended to help patients meet quality goals. The PCT provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including welcoming and assessing patients, evaluating and cannulating vascular access, taking and recording vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures, monitoring patients and machines, intervening as directed, documenting care, and reporting significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining supplies and equipment, cleaning and disinfecting treatment areas and machines, and supporting infection-control practices. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, coordinates aspects of their transitional care, reinforces education as permitted by state law, supports patients’ understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on TCU machines, and helps coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities. The position involves patient and staff interaction, desk and computer work, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work takes place in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients, equipment, and solutions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.
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 functions described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient lifting and ambulation, and lifting solutions and other items as specified.
Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their well-being since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform access cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform vascular access evaluations, and document patient identification and treatment details.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Monitor patient response to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as ordered or directed.
Perform treatment reinfusion and discontinuation procedures, assess patients before treatment termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient observation and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor vascular access and arterial and venous pressures during treatment; intervene as needed, document findings, and report unusual results to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Accurately and promptly complete treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, clinical application entries, and other required documentation; review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate nursing signatures.
Report significant information and changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor, and document interventions and patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare, organize, and efficiently use supplies and equipment to prevent waste.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, conduct and document required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and assist with infection-control audits and education under the direction of the care manager or designee.
Support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices and follow infection-control policies and procedures.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure planned discipline visits are scheduled.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordinating transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, performing treatments on TCU machines, and managing TCU supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment and follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.