Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Wheaton, MD

12d

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, assisting with patient care and education, and maintaining a safe and clean working environment. The PCT follows organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable regulations, and contributes to quality improvement and patient satisfaction initiatives. The technician supports patients throughout dialysis treatment, including obtaining and documenting vital signs and weights, evaluating and cannulating vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures, monitoring patients’ responses, responding to problems as directed, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a nurse or supervisor. The role also includes treatment documentation, laboratory specimen handling, infection-control activities, machine and equipment preparation, and support for patients receiving transitional care or considering home dialysis options. Work takes place in a health care facility and involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may also be required. The work environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Day-to-day work includes desk and computer tasks as well as frequent patient-care activities involving standing, bending, lifting, moving patients, and assisting with ambulation. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must have any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Demonstrated commitment to organization 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 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 of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet. Assistance or material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
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 vital signs and weights, and perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion; discontinue treatment according to established procedures; evaluate patients before termination and discharge; obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Document vital signs, treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and treatment information 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.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy; evaluate vascular access and monitor arterial and venous pressures during treatment.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and handle specimens according to laboratory requirements, and ensure collection by the appropriate courier.
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 nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and infection-control practices; assist with infection-control audits and patient and family education as directed.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, prepare or print laboratory requisitions, and collect, label, prepare, and store specimens as required.
For Transitional Care Unit patients, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law; coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure scheduled disciplines see the patient according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, support understanding of treatment options, and 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 supply ordering and inventory.