Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Warsaw, IN

14d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean treatment environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction initiatives. No dialysis experience is required; paid on-the-job training is provided. The PCT welcomes patients, monitors their condition and response to treatment, obtains and records vital signs and weights, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, initiates and discontinues treatments according to established procedures, and documents treatment information. The role also includes responding to treatment issues as directed, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining infection-control practices, and supporting patient education and transitional dialysis care. Work takes place in a health care facility and includes interaction with patients, staff, and physicians. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. Employees may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. The work includes frequent standing and bending, assisting patients with lifting, movement, and ambulation, and handling supplies and equipment. A high school diploma or GED is required. Continued employment depends on successfully completing the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet any 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 for continued employment.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting patients with lifting and ambulation, and handling solutions and equipment.
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.

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 last treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before, during, and after treatment.
Cannulate vascular access and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Check machine safety and alarms, monitor patient responses, respond to unusual conditions as directed, and report significant changes or findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and patient responses accurately and on time.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment, conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Support patient-specific education concerning adequacy measures, disease process, vascular access, infection control, and dialysis options as permitted by state law and under appropriate supervision.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist in training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities, and follow organization policies, procedures, and ethical business practices.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure required nursing signatures, and coordinate correction of omitted entries 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 under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Coordinate patient access to appropriate staff and disciplines according to the care plan, reinforce education, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.