Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Springfield, TN

About The Position

Functions 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 and helping maintain a safe, clean work environment. The technician supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvements that help patients achieve quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient assessment, vascular access monitoring and cannulation, treatment initiation and discontinuation, vital-sign and weight measurement, machine programming, monitoring patient response, interventions as directed, documentation, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a nurse or supervisor. The technician also supports patient education, laboratory specimen handling, infection-control practices, equipment preparation and disinfection, and training of applicable care staff under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, helps coordinate transitions to a chosen modality, and assists with supplies and inventory. The work involves desk and computer tasks as well as interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The setting is a temperature-controlled health care facility with moderate noise and potential exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, and bending. The role may also involve pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force and frequently lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance from coworkers or equipment is available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; 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; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing it does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions up to the specified weights, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since the prior treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform access evaluations, and conduct initial patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and document interventions and responses.
Perform treatment discontinuation and reinfusion procedures, obtain relevant vital signs, assess patients before ending venous access and discharge, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Enable appropriate safety alarms, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Record accurate and timely vital signs, treatment parameters, and other patient treatment information on treatment sheets and in clinical applications; complete applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in condition, access findings, and unusual observations to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
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 RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under a nurse's supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document preparation as appropriate, conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Document participation in CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required signatures and corrections are completed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or print requisitions for prescribed or stat laboratory specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under appropriate direction.
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 as permitted by state law, and liaise with facility staff to coordinate services according to the patient's plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.