Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Rock Creek, TX

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities that support patient satisfaction and treatment goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, obtains and records pre-, intra-, and post-treatment measurements, evaluates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment concerns as directed. The role includes accurate treatment documentation, machine safety checks, collection and preparation of laboratory specimens, supply and equipment management, and reporting patient changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also supports staff training and infection-control practices. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports patients' understanding of home dialysis, and assists with equipment, supplies, and inventory. The work includes desk and computer tasks as well as direct patient care in a health care facility. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The role may involve exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Physical demands include frequent, prolonged standing, bending, assisting patients with lifting, moving, or ambulation, and frequently lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds; occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; and occasional pushing or pulling with up to 15 pounds of force. Assistance from coworkers or equipment is available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing it does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must have any required state licensure, education, and training.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to meet the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting patients with movement, and lifting or lowering solutions.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist with patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures, the disease process, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record 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.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and intervene as prescribed or directed; monitor and document patient responses to therapy and interventions.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, evaluate the patient before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and perform and document pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, weights, vital signs, and initial identification.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Record accurate, timely vital signs and treatment parameters, complete treatment sheets and applicable progress notes, and report significant information or changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks; evaluate vascular access and arterial and venous monitoring pressures during treatment, document findings, and report unusual results.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange appropriate courier collection of specimens; prepare laboratory requisitions.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe, clean, and orderly work areas.
Clean and disinfect the dialysis machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document where appropriate, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork for placement in the chart.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce infection-control education under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as permitted by state law, liaise with appropriate staff to support patient experience and scheduled care, and help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit; assist with explaining treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup; and help coordinate transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.