Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Sikeston, MO

4d•Onsite

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment, performs pre- and post-treatment assessments, records vital signs and treatment information, evaluates vascular access, and initiates and discontinues treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures. The technician observes patient responses, responds to treatment issues as directed, reports changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor, and documents care accurately. Additional duties include specimen collection and preparation, equipment preparation and disinfection, infection-control support, and assisting with staff training under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and transition to the patient’s chosen modality, demonstrates treatment options as appropriate, and assists with equipment setup, supplies, and inventory. The role requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and may require travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings. The work takes place in a health care facility and involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Employees may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. The position includes frequent and prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation. The role may also require pushing or pulling equipment, lifting solutions weighing up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, and lifting items as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline and satisfy any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements. 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 all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions weighing up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Provide patient-specific education alongside other health care team members, including education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, where appropriate.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access assessments.
Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed patient machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, assess patients before discharge, and discontinue treatment according to established procedures.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, evaluate patients before terminating venous access, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Record accurate and timely vital signs, treatment parameters, treatment documentation, and applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in condition, or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy; document interventions and patient responses.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection-control policies and procedures.
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 and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, complete required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on missing or corrected entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist in collecting information for infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education for patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee, as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, as allowed by state law, and liaise with FKC staff to coordinate services according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions to their chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.