Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Lithonia, GA

2d•Onsite

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 organizational policies, procedures, and training requirements, along with applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines and helps maintain a safe, clean clinical environment. The position supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement efforts. The PCT supports patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient education, vascular access assessment and cannulation, treatment initiation and discontinuation, monitoring and documenting patient status, responding to treatment issues as directed, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also collects and prepares laboratory specimens, maintains treatment records, performs machine and environmental safety tasks, and supports infection-control practices. The role includes staff training and development responsibilities, such as assisting with orientation, competency evaluations, precepting, and education initiatives under applicable supervision and regulations. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate newly admitted patients’ first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports treatment-option discussions and modality transitions, and assists with equipment and supply needs. The work involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings. The role regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and handling equipment and dialysis solutions. Employees may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. An Ishihara color-blindness test is required as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Attendance and active participation in applicable preceptor training programs established by education leadership.
Attend Fresenius and publicly offered skill-based training as assigned by the Clinical Manager.
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 meet the physical requirements of direct patient care, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Completion of the Ishihara color-blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation will be considered.

Nice To Haves

At least five years of patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education with other health care team members regarding dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and intervene as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform and document the procedures required to discontinue treatment.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures; assess patients before termination of venous access, including standing and sitting blood pressure; obtain hemostasis and apply dressings; and evaluate patients before discharge.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and perform machine safety checks.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, patient evaluations, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly in the designated records.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, document findings, and report unusual results.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectants and prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with self-care as applicable.
Participate in recruitment of new clinical staff and assist with clinical orientation and ongoing training of direct patient care and facility personnel.
Serve as a preceptor and conduct or maintain competency evaluations and audits for other PCTs, as applicable under state requirements and organizational standards.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers and Education Coordinators on quality standards, regulatory and legal requirements, Continuous Quality Improvement, training, and staff development.
Educate appropriate personnel about facility water-system integrity and safety and environmental integrity, including patient and staff safety, in partnership with RN and IDT staff and as allowed by local regulations.
Support communication and implementation of staff training and organizational development programs; participate in or help design educational programs for PCT staff.
Monitor patient-care processes through regular CQI activities and incorporate organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices into training.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly facility areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis equipment and document required preparation tasks, perform pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Complete and document ongoing participation in CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, prepare or print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with facility infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control policies and practices among staff, patients, and families under the direction of the Clinical Manager or designee.
Support infection-control education, new-hire adherence, staff and patient engagement activities, survey-related education, and quarterly reinforcement using visual materials, as directed.
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 allowed by state law; coordinate with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled services.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; support coordination of the patient’s chosen modality transition.
Set up and perform treatment on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.