Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Tupelo, MS

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including patient assessment, vascular access care, treatment initiation and discontinuation, monitoring, documentation, specimen collection, and reporting changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor. It also supports infection control, staff training, and the coordination and education of patients in the Transitional Care Unit.

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 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 preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care duties involving frequent, prolonged standing; bending; lifting and moving patients; and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally 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.

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.
Provide or reinforce patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, vascular access, infection control, and dialysis treatment options as allowed by state law and under appropriate supervision.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including relevant standing and sitting blood pressures.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Observe patients and perform machine safety checks; evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status, monitor patient responses, and promptly report significant information or changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Accurately complete treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and other patient treatment documentation in a timely manner.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; and immediately clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare dialysis treatments, conduct required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities, enter treatment data, and review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection control audits and reinforce adherence to infection control practices among staff, patients, and families.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and support understanding of treatment options and 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.