Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Knoxville, TN

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, supporting a safe and clean environment, and participating in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities that support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients during treatment; evaluates vascular access; obtains and records vital signs, weights, and treatment parameters; initiates, monitors, and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and facility procedures; and documents patient responses and interventions. The role also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and supplies, supporting infection-control practices, and helping educate patients as permitted by state law. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports coordination of care and modality transitions, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. The role includes direct patient care, frequent standing and bending, lifting and moving patients and equipment, and travel between assigned facilities and other community locations. The work takes place in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated 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 direct patient care duties involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending; lifting and moving patients; and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally to a height of five feet.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform treatment discontinuation procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, assessments, interventions, and patient responses accurately and in a timely manner.
Report significant information, changes in condition, unusual findings, or access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform machine safety checks and monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens.
Clean blood spills and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas according to facility policy.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, ethical business practices, and infection-control requirements.
Participate in and document CQI activities, enter treatment data, review treatment sheets for completeness, and support correction of omitted entries by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under appropriate supervision.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education for new patients and liaise with staff to coordinate services and provide a positive patient experience.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of the transition to the patient's chosen modality, and with TCU supply ordering and inventory.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.