Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Northridge, OH

5d•Onsite

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 involves setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, following organizational policies and applicable regulations, and participating in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities. The PCT provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including welcoming patients, assessing their wellbeing and vascular access, obtaining and documenting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment as prescribed, monitoring patient and machine status, responding to problems as directed, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes maintaining accurate treatment records, preparing equipment and supplies, cleaning and disinfecting treatment areas, and supporting infection control. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education as allowed by state law, coordinates care with appropriate staff, supports patient understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, helps coordinate transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and assists with TCU supplies and inventory. The position involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. It includes direct patient care, frequent standing and bending, and regular lifting and moving of patients and equipment. Employees are required to take an Ishihara color blindness test; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must meet 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.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent standing and bending, assisting with patient ambulation and movement, and lifting solutions and equipment.
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

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and perform required machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow.
Monitor patient responses and evaluate intradialytic problems, providing interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform treatment discontinuation procedures, obtain vital signs before reinfusion, assess patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document vital signs, treatment parameters, treatment data, interventions, and other patient care information accurately and promptly; complete treatment sheets and applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in condition, unusual findings, and vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas according to facility policy.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, and maintain a safe, clean environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under the supervision of a nurse.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection control audits; follow and reinforce infection control practices and education as directed.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law, and coordinate with staff to support the patient experience and scheduled services.
Support patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits of home dialysis, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Assist with coordinating transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with TCU supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain environmental integrity and follow organizational business policies, procedures, and ethical business practices.