Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Toccoa, GA

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 and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction initiatives. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, performs pre-, intra-, and post-treatment tasks, evaluates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors treatment response, documents patient and machine information, and reports changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also involves laboratory specimen handling, infection control, equipment cleaning, supply management, and support for patient education and staff training. 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 understanding of home dialysis options, and assists with equipment and supply needs. The position includes direct patient care, frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and travel between assigned facilities and other locations as required. The work environment is a health care facility where exposure to infectious or contagious materials may occur.

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.
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 direct patient care involving heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation; frequent prolonged standing and bending; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Employees are required to take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not 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 with patient-specific education about dialysis 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 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.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed or directed; monitor and document patients' responses to dialysis and interventions.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, evaluate patients before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and complete pre- and post-dialysis evaluations and documentation with initial identification.
Calculate and enter prescribed patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits.
Record accurate and timely vital signs, treatment parameters, and other patient treatment information in the required records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, condition changes, unusual findings, or access concerns to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy; document and report unusual findings and interventions.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and intervene, document, and report as needed.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and follow facility policy.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document preparation where appropriate, perform required machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies, and reinforce patient and family education as directed and as allowed by state law.
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 matters for new patients as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
Assist with coordination of transition to the patient's chosen modality and help with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.