Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Suffolk, VA

5d•$15 - $24

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The PCT contributes to patient satisfaction and process improvements that help patients achieve quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders and procedures, monitoring patient responses, documenting treatment information, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also supports patient education, laboratory specimen handling, infection control, staff training, and, in a Transitional Care Unit, coordination and education for newly admitted patients exploring treatment options.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment requiring up to 15 pounds of force.
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.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Provide patient-specific education with other health care team members on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access where appropriate.
Evaluate vascular access for patency; cannulate access and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Check that required machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and perform required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing.
Monitor patients and dialysis machines during treatment, identify intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document patient responses.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and complete the procedures and documentation needed to discontinue treatment, including standing and sitting blood pressure checks, hemostasis, and dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and report significant information, condition changes, unusual findings, or vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Record accurate and timely treatment information on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and in designated clinical applications, including required evaluations, vital signs, parameters, and progress notes when applicable.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, and store specimens according to laboratory requirements; prepare requisitions and ensure courier collection.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under a nurse’s supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and infection control practices; support infection control audits and education as directed.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts for admission and compile paperwork for placement in the chart.
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 facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.