Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Baton Rouge, LA

10d

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, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient outcomes and satisfaction. The technician provides direct patient care, documents treatment information, supports infection control, and assists with patient education and transitions to home or other dialysis modalities. The position also supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis through the Transitional Care Unit, coordinating care with facility staff, reinforcing education, helping patients understand treatment choices, and assisting with supplies and inventory. Work involves patient and staff interaction, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and work in a health care environment with moderate noise and possible exposure to infectious materials.

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.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Pass the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

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.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, evaluations, and treatment parameters.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient responses and machine safety, intervene as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste; conduct machine preparation and alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Complete and maintain treatment records, clinical application entries, charts, progress notes, lab requisitions, and other required documentation; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted entries.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection control audits; follow and reinforce infection control practices and education under appropriate direction.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care with appropriate staff and disciplines.
Reinforce education for new patients, support understanding of home dialysis products and treatment options, and assist with demonstrations and transitions to a chosen modality.
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 comply with organizational policies, procedures, ethical business practices, and applicable regulations.