Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Midland, TX

15d•Onsite

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for 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 Patient Care Technician welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment, performs vascular access evaluations and cannulation, collects vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and documents treatment information. The role includes monitoring patient responses, recognizing and reporting changes in condition, responding to treatment issues as directed, collecting laboratory specimens, and supporting patients who perform self-care under RN supervision. The position also supports staff training, infection control, equipment preparation and cleaning, record keeping, and transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients. Transitional care duties include reinforcing patient education, coordinating care with facility staff, supporting understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, and assisting with supplies and inventory. Work includes desk and computer tasks and direct interaction with patients, staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, or 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. The position involves frequent prolonged standing, bending, and regularly lifting or moving patients; occasional pushing or pulling equipment; and frequent lifting or lowering solutions. Assistance devices and coworkers are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment, though failing it does not automatically preclude employment and accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Ability to perform the physical functions described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; regular heavy lifting and moving of patients; and frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance devices and coworkers may be used.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically 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 about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including vascular access evaluations and patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and observe patients while conducting machine safety checks.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, evaluate patients before termination of venous access and discharge, and obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other required treatment information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, document findings, and report unusual results.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and 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 appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain a safe and clean environment.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly into 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, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure laboratory specimens are handled and collected appropriately.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as allowed by state law, and liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordinating 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.