Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Bluefield, WV

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean environment, and following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The PCT contributes to quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access and patient status, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to orders and procedures, monitoring patients and equipment, documenting treatment details, responding to changes in condition, and collecting laboratory specimens. The technician also assists with patient education, infection control, staff training, and—in a Transitional Care Unit—supporting newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis and helping coordinate care and treatment-option education. The work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may also be required. The work environment is a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and occasionally pushing or pulling equipment. The employee may frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. An Ishihara color blindness test is a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

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; continued employment is dependent on completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on completion.
Ability to perform the described physical duties, including frequent standing and lifting or lowering solutions, with assistance or material-assist devices available for heavier items.
Take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist with patient-specific education on dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and as allowed by state law.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations, including initial identification.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and perform required machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge and document relevant treatment information.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in the required treatment records and clinical application.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare requisitions, collect and label specimens, store them according to laboratory specifications, and ensure courier collection.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment 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 organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and help ensure appropriate corrections and nursing signatures.
Prepare initial patient charts and related paperwork for admission and placement in the chart.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under appropriate direction.
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, liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled 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 supply ordering and inventory.