Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Florence, KY

7h•Onsite

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 involves setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean care environment, and complying with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The PCT also participates in the Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts related to patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT assists with patient education and care throughout dialysis treatment, including welcoming patients, assessing their wellbeing and vascular access, obtaining and recording vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to orders and procedures, monitoring patient responses, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. Duties also include documenting treatment information, performing prescribed interventions, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, conducting machine safety checks, and maintaining equipment and the treatment area. The role supports staff training under nurse supervision, infection-control practices, and ongoing quality activities. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate care and education for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, supports understanding of treatment and home-dialysis options, assists with modality transitions, and helps manage supplies and inventory. Work includes desk and computer tasks as well as direct patient care in a health care facility. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required, and travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required. The environment may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials, moderate noise, frequent standing and bending, and regular heavy lifting and moving of patients. Reasonable accommodations may be considered for individuals with disabilities. Employees must take the Ishihara color blindness test; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must 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.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment.
Ability to perform the described physical functions, with reasonable accommodations considered where applicable.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist in providing patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access 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 pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Monitor patients during treatment, evaluate problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to procedures, evaluate patients before termination of venous access, and obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and complete pre- and post-dialysis assessments and documentation.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits.
Record accurate, timely treatment information and complete treatment sheets and applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Conduct patient and machine safety checks, document interventions and patient responses, and monitor vascular access pressures during treatment.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, collect and prepare specimens, and follow laboratory handling and courier procedures.
Clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational 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, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and timely into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify required nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare lab requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under direction as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with staff to support the patient experience and scheduled interdisciplinary visits.
Help patients understand home-dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; support transitions 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.