Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Mililani, HI

14d•$18 - $29

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 organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including process improvements related to patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT supports patients throughout dialysis treatment by preparing and monitoring equipment, assessing and documenting patient status, responding to treatment issues within delegated responsibilities, and communicating significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also includes laboratory specimen handling, record keeping, infection-control support, and assistance with transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients. Work includes patient interaction, desk and computer tasks, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and direct patient care involving physical activity and exposure to a health care environment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (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 to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue 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 physical demands described, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Provide patient-specific education with other health care team members regarding adequacy measures and, as appropriate, disease processes and vascular access.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, 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 appropriate safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ response to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Complete treatment discontinuation and reinfusion procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly; complete treatment sheets and applicable progress notes.
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 appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange delivery of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with 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 on appropriate programs under a nurse’s supervision.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly environmental conditions; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in 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 paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow applicable policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care related to new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled services, and help patients understand home dialysis products and options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstrations of peritoneal dialysis setup, and coordinate transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.