Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Cape Girardeau, MO

12d

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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality improvement activities aimed at improving patient satisfaction and achieving organizational Quality Enhancement Program goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients during dialysis, performs and documents pre-, during-, and post-treatment tasks, operates dialysis equipment according to prescribed orders, and reports changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also supports infection control, laboratory specimen handling, patient education, staff training, and record keeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, supports patients in understanding treatment and home dialysis options, and assists with treatment modality transitions and unit supplies.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet all 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 to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Pass 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 and prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance devices and a two-person assist program are available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations within the community; 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.

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and evaluations, including blood pressure and patient status before discharge.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients' responses to dialysis therapy, assess and intervene in treatment problems as prescribed or directed, document interventions and responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform machine safety checks and observe patients according to facility policy.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange for courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and 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 under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required 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 accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on missing or corrected entries.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with collecting information for infection control audits, reinforce infection control practices, and participate in patient and family infection control education as directed and allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis in the Transitional Care Unit and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand 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, assist with transitions to patients' chosen modalities, and help coordinate supply ordering and inventory.