Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Bolivar, MO

16h

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, supports a safe and clean work environment, and follows organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The technician also supports quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program goals. The position assists with patient education, performs and documents dialysis treatments and related assessments, monitors patients and equipment, reports changes in patient condition, and collects and prepares laboratory specimens. It also supports infection control, clinical recordkeeping, staff training, and transitional care for newly admitted dialysis patients, including education about treatment options and coordination of care.

Requirements

High school diploma or G.E.D.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must meet 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.
Employees 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.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access before and during treatment, perform cannulation, administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law, and report unusual findings.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate patients before treatment and discharge.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct required safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document patient responses.
Record accurate and timely treatment information, vital signs, treatment parameters, progress notes where applicable, and other required clinical documentation.
Report significant information or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under the supervision of a nurse.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and infection control requirements.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures are documented, and have omissions corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection control audits and reinforce infection control practices and education for patients and families as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure visits are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit, assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and help coordinate TCU supplies and inventory.