Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Rock Hill, SC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the 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, helping maintain a safe and clean environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted, obtains and records weights and vital signs, initiates and discontinues treatments according to prescribed orders and procedures, and responds to treatment issues under clinical direction. The technician programs dialysis machines, checks safety alarms, monitors patient response and vascular access, obtains laboratory specimens, documents treatment information, and reports significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor. The position also includes cleaning and disinfecting equipment and treatment areas, preparing supplies and machines, maintaining records and laboratory paperwork, supporting infection-control practices, and assisting with staff and patient education 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, coordinates care with facility staff, supports understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, and helps with equipment and supply management. Work includes desk and computer tasks as well as direct patient care in a health care facility. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. Employees may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. Frequent, prolonged standing and bending are required, and the role may involve pushing or pulling equipment and lifting solutions and other items. Reasonable accommodations may be considered. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment.

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 organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the described physical functions, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and moving, 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 is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and according to organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
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 weights and vital signs, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and perform required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing.
Monitor patients and their response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess patients before discharge, and obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access and arterial and venous pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Prepare, organize, and efficiently use supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy; promptly clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness and required corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist in infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care with appropriate staff.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as permitted by state law, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Assist patients in understanding home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; support transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.