Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Zebulon, NC

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of the Inpatient Services Hemodialysis Health Care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy to assigned patients in accordance with company policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The position provides patient care under the direct supervision of a Hemodialysis Registered Nurse in an acute-care dialysis setting. The technician monitors patients, prepares and checks dialysis equipment, documents treatment information, and reports complaints, changes, or unusual findings to the RN. The role supports quality improvement and the maintenance of a safe, clean work environment. Duties may include setting up and priming equipment for renal replacement therapies after documented competency and proficiency, programming dialysis machines as prescribed, collecting and delivering specimens, assisting with treatment interventions, and completing the processes required to discontinue treatment and discharge patients. The work involves computer use while standing or sitting, interactions with patients and care-team members, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The healthcare-facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise levels, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and occasionally moving equipment weighing up to 200 pounds or lifting chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
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

At least six months of experience in a related field, such as EMT, surgical technician, Army, phlebotomy, or technician work.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care to assigned patients in the acute dialysis setting under the direct supervision of a Hemodialysis Registered Nurse.
Report and document new or unusual incidents, information, complaints, problems, and patient findings to the RN.
Promote and help maintain a safe and clean working environment; participate in quality enhancement and performance improvement activities.
When documented competency and proficiency allow, set up and prime equipment for hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement, and peritoneal dialysis therapies as directed by the nurse.
Set up and test dialysis machines to ensure they are safe for treatment in accordance with manufacturer instructions and company policy and procedures.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their well-being since their last treatment; report complaints and observations to the RN.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight, reporting unusual findings to the RN.
Report cannulation difficulties, as permitted by state requirements, and unusual findings to the RN.
Accurately document treatment information in the patient record, including the hospital Electronic Medical System and Acute Care Electronic System.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, sodium modeling, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including narrow venous limits (NVL 160).
Collect and label specimens and ensure timely delivery to the laboratory in accordance with facility policy.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed by physician order or directed by the RN; monitor and report the patient's response to dialysis therapy.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform necessary functions for treatment discontinuation, including documentation.
Evaluate the patient before termination of venous access; obtain standing and sitting blood pressures, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate the patient before discharge and report unusual findings to the RN.
Comply with the Code of Business Conduct, company policies and procedures, and applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Assist with projects assigned by the direct supervisor or supervising RN and perform other duties as assigned.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations within the community.