Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Smyrna, TN

41d

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 state and federal regulations. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and participating in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities focused on patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes. The PCT supports patients before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include assessing vascular access, cannulating access, administering heparin when delegated or permitted by law, taking and recording vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders, monitoring patients and machine safety, responding to treatment issues as directed, documenting care, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and supplies, supporting infection control practices, and helping train applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education as permitted by law, coordinates with appropriate staff, supports understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, supplies, and inventory. The position involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required. The work includes patient interaction, desk and computer work, and direct care involving frequent standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients. Exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur. Employees 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.

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.
Demonstrated 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.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.
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

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or allowed by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intradialytic, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required identification and evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed.
Monitor patients’ responses to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform treatment discontinuation and reinfusion procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Conduct machine safety checks, ensure required safety alarms are enabled, and perform required pretreatment alarm tests, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT).
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly in the treatment sheet and applicable clinical systems.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste; assist with supply ordering and inventory for the Transitional Care Unit.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Participate in CQI activities and infection control audits; follow and reinforce infection control practices and education as directed.
For Transitional Care Unit patients, coordinate care through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforce education, liaise with staff, support understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with modality transitions.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain environmental safety and cleanliness.
Prepare initial patient charts, compile paperwork, review treatment sheets for completeness, and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.