Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•University City, MO

12d•Onsite

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and participating in the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and other process-improvement activities that support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, obtains pre- and post-treatment measurements, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment issues as directed. The technician documents treatment information, reports changes in patient condition, obtains and prepares laboratory specimens, and follows infection-control and facility safety procedures. The role may also support patient education, staff training, and transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients, including education about treatment options and coordination of transitions to a patient's selected modality. The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and potential exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Work includes frequent, prolonged standing, bending, assisting patients with movement, and lifting or moving supplies and equipment. High school diploma or GED is required. Certification requirements must be met within applicable state or CMS timelines; continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification.

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.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
Able to perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient ambulation, frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds, and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment requiring up to 15 pounds of force.
Complete the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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 or reinforce patient-specific education about adequacy measures, the disease process, vascular access, infection control, and treatment options as permitted by state law.
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, vital signs, and patient evaluations, including initial identification and standing and sitting blood pressure where required.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter individual dialysis machine settings for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients' responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
Complete and accurately document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, progress notes when applicable, and other required clinical records.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and maintain a safe, clean environment.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omissions or corrections by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce infection-control education under the direction of the Center Manager or designee.
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 assist with transitions 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.
Travel between assigned facilities and other community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required.