Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Fort Worth, TX

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team and provides safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities, and patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT welcomes patients, monitors their condition and response to treatment, performs and documents pre- and post-treatment assessments, and initiates, monitors, and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and facility procedures. The role includes vascular access assessment and cannulation, delegated heparin administration where permitted, treatment and machine safety checks, interventions for unusual patient status, laboratory specimen collection and preparation, and accurate clinical record keeping. The technician also helps educate patients, supports infection-control practices, maintains and disinfects the treatment area and equipment, and assists with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision. The work involves patient interaction and direct patient care in a health care facility, use of a desk and personal computer, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meeting travel may be required. Employees may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The role involves frequent, prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and occasional pushing or pulling equipment. Lifting requirements include solutions weighing up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, with assistance or devices available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the described physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and access, as appropriate.
Assess 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, and perform vascular access evaluations before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct required machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and discontinue treatment according to established procedures; evaluate the patient and venous access before termination, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and perform and document pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, weights, and vital signs with initial identification.
Record accurate, timely treatment information and complete treatment sheets, progress notes where applicable, and other required documentation.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor; document interventions and patient responses.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, provide appropriate interventions, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain safe and clean areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Conduct tasks necessary to prepare for dialysis treatment, initiate the Solution Delivery System, and document as appropriate.
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
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 placement in the chart; prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family infection-control education under direction as permitted by state law.