Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Norwood, OH

11d

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 supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including process improvements related to patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including evaluating vascular access, obtaining weights and vital signs, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patient response, addressing treatment issues as directed, documenting care, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and infection-control practices, supporting staff training, and completing treatment records. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, supports transitions to the patient's chosen modality, and assists with supplies and inventory. The role requires a high school diploma or GED, applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification within required timelines, and any applicable state licensure, education, and training. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification. Previous patient-care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred. The work includes desk and computer tasks, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may also be required. The healthcare-facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with potential exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care involves frequent prolonged standing, bending, moving and assisting patients, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment. The employee may occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower items up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift items up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Possess any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on completion.
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 described physical duties, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient assistance and movement, and lifting or lowering items as specified.

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.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including pre-treatment access evaluation and post-treatment evaluation.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Monitor patients and machine safety during treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as directed, and document patient responses.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, obtain vital signs before reinfusion, evaluate the patient before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and report significant information, condition changes, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Enable required safety alarms, including Narrow Venous Limits, and perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing.
Record treatment parameters and patient information accurately and promptly on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and in designated clinical applications; complete progress notes when applicable.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment, initiate the Solution Delivery System, and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Assist with training applicable direct patient-care staff under a nurse's supervision and monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; follow organizational policies and ethical business practices; support infection-control practices, audits, and patient and family education as directed.
Complete and document participation in CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omissions or corrections are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and planned visits, and help patients understand home dialysis and treatment options.
Set and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, assist with transitions to the patient's selected modality, and help manage TCU supply ordering and inventory.