Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Garden City, KS

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, along with applicable corporate, state, and federal requirements. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The technician welcomes and monitors patients before, during, and after treatment; evaluates vascular access; performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted; initiates and discontinues prescribed dialysis treatments; monitors patients and equipment; responds to treatment issues as directed; and documents treatment information accurately. The role also involves collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, supporting infection control, maintaining treatment areas and equipment, and assisting with staff training under nursing supervision. In a Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, supports transitions to a selected modality, and assists with supplies and inventory.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services-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 and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
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 heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and occasional pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as 5 feet; assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Monitor patients' response to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform necessary functions to discontinue treatment, obtain vital signs before reinfusion, evaluate patients before termination, and obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and document pre- and post-dialysis assessments, weights, vital signs, and treatment parameters.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment information accurately and promptly, including treatment sheets and applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform, document, and report interventions for unusual patient status and monitor vascular access pressures during treatment.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and prepare specimens for collection, storage, and courier pickup.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required 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.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure laboratory specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection control audits, support adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under direction as permitted by state law.
In a Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with facility staff to coordinate disciplines according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with transitions to patients' chosen modalities, perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.