Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Bozeman, MT

15d

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, following organizational policies and regulatory requirements, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, obtains pre- and post-treatment measurements, assesses vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, responds to treatment issues as directed, and documents patient condition and treatment information. The role also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and supplies, supporting infection control, and assisting with staff training under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and helps coordinate transitional care, education, treatment options, and modality transitions. The role requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and may involve travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The work takes place in a health care facility and includes direct patient care, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing it does not 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 required state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification.
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.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation.
May need to push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance devices and two-person assistance are available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education support regarding adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and within state law.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and other required patient evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient responses to dialysis, assess intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; assess patients before discharge and termination of venous access.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier pickup of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills immediately using the appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection control procedures.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN 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, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print lab requisitions, and ensure required documentation and signatures are complete or corrected by appropriate staff.
Assist with infection control audits and reinforce infection control practices and education for staff, patients, and families as directed.
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 liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care plan.
Assist patients in understanding 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 and assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.