Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Many, LA

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 follows organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. It is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines and helping maintain a safe, clean environment. The PCT also supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvements intended to help patients meet quality goals. The position provides direct patient care before, during, and after dialysis, including assessing vascular access, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patients and equipment, responding to treatment concerns as directed, documenting care, and reporting changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. Duties also include laboratory specimen handling, infection control, equipment and area disinfection, record keeping, and assisting with staff training under a nurse’s supervision. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education within the bounds of state law, coordinates care with facility staff, supports patient understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, sets up and performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with transition planning and supply inventory. The work includes desk and computer tasks as well as regular interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The setting is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care involves frequent, prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assistance with ambulation. The role may require pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline and meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification. A previous patient-care role in a hospital or related facility is preferred. 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 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.
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 stated physical duties, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, assistance with ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and within applicable state law.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, cannulate access, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required pre- and post-dialysis evaluations and patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders and program machine settings for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Check that appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient responses to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform required functions to reinfuse and discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures, assess the patient before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Record accurate and timely treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and other required information on treatment sheets and in clinical applications; complete applicable progress notes.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and follow infection-control policies and procedures.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on programs under a nurse’s supervision.
Maintain environmental safety and cleanliness; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis, perform and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omitted entries are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education for patients and families as directed and permitted 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 information for new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with unit supply ordering and inventory.