Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Columbus, OH

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the 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, supporting a safe and clean environment, and following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The PCT contributes to the Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts related to patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients during treatment; evaluates vascular access; performs cannulation and delegated or legally permitted heparin administration; records vital signs, weights, treatment parameters, and patient responses; initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures; and reports significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also involves machine safety checks, laboratory specimen collection and preparation, treatment documentation, infection-control practices, equipment cleaning, and preparation of the dialysis treatment area. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with transition planning and supply inventory. The position may require travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and occasionally to regional, business-unit, or corporate meetings. Work takes place in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious materials, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Reasonable accommodations may be considered for essential job functions.

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.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform duties involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending, direct patient care, and regular heavy lifting or moving of patients with assistance as needed.
Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds, as high as five feet; occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.

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 prescribed orders, facility procedures, and applicable regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access and perform cannulation; administer heparin as delegated or as allowed by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and assess patients before, during, and after treatment.
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 ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, assess vascular access and machine pressures, intervene as prescribed or directed, document interventions, and report changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Complete accurate and timely treatment records, progress notes where applicable, clinical application entries, and review of treatment sheets for completeness.
Perform machine safety checks and required alarm testing, prepare treatment areas and equipment, and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange delivery of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and follow infection-control policies and practices.
Organize and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits; reinforce infection-control education for patients and families as permitted by state law.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure required documentation and signatures are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
For Transitional Care Unit patients, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care with appropriate staff.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, support understanding of home dialysis products and treatment options, and assist with demonstrations and 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.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly work environment and follow organizational business policies, procedures, and ethical practices.