Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Independence, MO

13d

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 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 work environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including process improvements related to patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment. Duties include welcoming and assessing patients; checking vascular access; taking and recording weights and vital signs; initiating, monitoring, and discontinuing prescribed treatments; recognizing and reporting changes in patient condition; documenting treatment and interventions; and collecting and preparing laboratory specimens. The PCT also performs machine safety checks, maintains equipment and treatment areas, supports infection-control practices, and assists with staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports patient understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with equipment and supply inventory. The work includes computer and desk tasks, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The healthcare setting has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The role also requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending, and may involve pushing or pulling equipment and lifting solutions and other items within the stated weight limits. Employees must take the Ishihara color blindness test; failing it does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline and satisfy any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification. Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet 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 the organization’s 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.
Must take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including patient lifting and movement, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing and bending, and lifting or moving supplies and equipment within stated limits.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist healthcare 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 previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including the required patient identification and pre-treatment vascular access evaluation.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed patient-specific machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform and document tasks required to discontinue treatment according to established procedures.
Evaluate patients before treatment termination and discharge, including standing and sitting blood pressure when discontinuing treatment.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Record accurate, timely treatment parameters and patient information on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and, when applicable, in progress notes and the designated clinical application.
Report significant information, changes in condition, unusual findings, and vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and record the patient’s response.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection-control policies and procedures.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, training, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document as appropriate, complete required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete and document ongoing participation in CQI activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for filing in the chart.
Prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens according to the laboratory destination.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education for staff, patients, and families under the direction of the CM or designee and 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-related information for new patients as allowed by state law.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and how home dialysis may work for them.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
Help patients understand treatment options, including by demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist in coordinating transitions to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.