Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Pflugerville, TX

14d

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 environment, following organizational policies and applicable regulations, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient outcomes and satisfaction. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients before, during, and after dialysis; evaluates vascular access; performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration as permitted; initiates and discontinues treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures; monitors patients’ responses; and documents assessments, vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, and other relevant information. The role also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, performing machine safety checks, maintaining equipment and supplies, and reporting patient changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position may support training of direct patient care staff and infection-control education under nurse supervision. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate care during a new patient’s first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with modality transitions, equipment, supplies, and scheduling. The work includes desk and computer tasks as well as direct patient care in a health care facility. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required, and travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required. The employee may be exposed to infectious materials and is required to take an Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered. Direct patient care involves frequent and prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation. The role may also require pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items.

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.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to perform the physical functions described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions up to the stated weights.
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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for 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 perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Monitor patients and dialysis machines during treatment, conduct safety checks, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to procedures, evaluate patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document assessments, vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in the treatment sheet and clinical application; complete progress notes where applicable.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills immediately using 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 programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe, clean, and orderly work areas.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document preparation where appropriate, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing entries are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork; prepare or print laboratory requisitions and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as allowed by state law; liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and coordinate discipline visits according to the plan.
Help patients understand home-dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.