Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Albuquerque, NM

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 supports the Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities intended to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including preparing patients and equipment, monitoring patient status and vascular access, documenting treatment information, responding to problems, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also supports patient education, laboratory specimen handling, infection control, staff training, and, where applicable, transitional care for newly admitted dialysis patients and people exploring home dialysis options.

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.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
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 meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment as described in the posting.
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.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Provide or reinforce patient-specific education about adequacy measures, the disease process, vascular access, infection control, and treatment options as permitted by state law and under appropriate supervision.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weight and vital signs, including required evaluations before and after dialysis.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed interventions, and report changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access and arterial and venous pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Perform required safety checks, including machine alarm testing, and document treatment parameters and patient care accurately and promptly.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, and support a safe, clean, and orderly work environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities, enter treatment data, review treatment sheets for completeness, and help maintain patient charts and laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection control audits and reinforce infection control practices and education for staff, patients, and families as directed.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and help coordinate transitional care and appointments with relevant staff.
In the Transitional Care Unit, reinforce education, help patients understand home dialysis products and treatment options, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and support transition to the patient's selected modality.
In the Transitional Care Unit, set up and perform treatments on unit machines and assist with supply ordering and inventory.