Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Eugene, OR

29d

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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and participates in the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and other process improvement activities intended to support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, recording vital signs and weights, starting and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patients and machines, responding to treatment issues as directed, and documenting care. The PCT also prepares and handles laboratory specimens, supports infection-control practices, maintains treatment areas and equipment, and assists with patient education and staff training under appropriate supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, helps coordinate modality transitions, and assists with equipment and supply readiness. The work includes computer and desk tasks, interaction with patients and clinical staff, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to meetings. It takes place in a healthcare facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct patient care requires frequent, prolonged standing, bending, lifting, moving and assisting patients, and handling solutions and equipment. An Ishihara color blindness test is required as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

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.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program as a condition of continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification as a condition of continued employment.
Ability to perform the position's physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and handling solutions and equipment.
Complete an 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 or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform vascular access evaluations, and complete patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient responses and vascular access during treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, evaluate patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, vital signs, weights, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly on the required records and clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and route specimens according to laboratory requirements; and ensure collection by the appropriate courier.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing or incorrect entries are addressed by the appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or urgent specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and support patient and family education under the direction of the Center Manager or designee as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, 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 permitted by state law, and liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled services.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home treatment, and available treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with modality transitions, and support supply ordering and inventory.