Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care • Anderson, SC

13d • Onsite

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 care outcomes.

The PCT welcomes and monitors patients before, during, and after dialysis; evaluates vascular access; performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted; initiates and discontinues treatment according to prescribed orders and procedures; monitors treatment response and machine safety; and documents patient assessments, treatment parameters, interventions, and related information. The position also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, cleaning and disinfecting equipment and work areas, supporting infection-control practices, and assisting with staff training under nurse supervision.

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 patients’ understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with modality transitions, supply ordering, and inventory.

The role involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. Work includes computer and desk tasks as well as frequent standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients or supplies. Employees may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. An Ishihara color blindness test is required as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required 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; continued employment depends on successful completion.
• Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
• 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, prolonged standing and bending; heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance devices or coworkers may be available.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Provide patient-specific education regarding dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
• Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
• Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
• Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits.
• Evaluate intradialytic problems and intervene as prescribed or directed; monitor and document patients’ responses to treatment and interventions.
• Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, evaluate patients before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
• Evaluate patients before discharge and document pre- and post-dialysis assessments, weights, vital signs, and treatment parameters.
• Report significant information, changes in condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
• Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
• Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare 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 appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
• Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
• Maintain safe and clean work areas 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 Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly into the designated clinical application.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for placement in the chart.
• Prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens according to laboratory destination.
• Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and participate in patient and family infection-control education as directed and permitted by state law.
• Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as allowed by state law; coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to plan.
• Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
• Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
• Assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED