Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Carmel, IN

27d

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 working environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients before, during, and after treatment; performs vascular access cannulation and delegated or legally permitted heparin administration; obtains and records weights and vital signs; initiates and discontinues dialysis according to orders and established procedures; monitors treatment response and machine safety; responds to patient issues as directed; and documents care accurately. The position also involves specimen collection and preparation, maintaining infection-control practices, cleaning and disinfecting equipment, preparing supplies, supporting staff training, and completing recordkeeping and quality-improvement tasks. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, supports patients’ understanding of treatment and home-dialysis options, helps coordinate modality transitions, and assists with equipment and supply management. The job involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Employees may encounter infectious or contagious materials. The role requires successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification for continued employment.

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.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient assistance, and lifting as described in the posting.
Employees are required 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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, monitor access pressures, and report unusual findings.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform patient evaluations before and after treatment.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis-machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patient response to treatment, identify intradialytic problems, perform interventions as directed, and report significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform machine safety checks and ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, arrange storage, and ensure collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Conduct required preparation for dialysis and machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Support infection-control practices, audits, and patient and family education under the direction of the care manager or designee, as permitted by state law.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on missing or corrected entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission and placement in the chart.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
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 and help them understand treatment options, home dialysis products, and the benefits of home dialysis.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the plan.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstrations of peritoneal dialysis setup, and coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe and clean work environment and follow organizational business policies and ethical practices.