Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Grand Island, NE

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, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. 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 satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The PCT supports patients throughout dialysis treatment by checking their wellbeing, assessing vascular access, obtaining and documenting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments as prescribed, monitoring patient responses, responding to intradialytic problems, and reporting changes in condition to the registered nurse or supervisor. The role also involves treatment documentation, laboratory specimen handling, machine safety checks, infection control, supply preparation, and assisting with staff training under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with relevant staff, helps patients understand treatment options and home dialysis, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with transition to the patient's chosen modality. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Employment is contingent on completing the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification.

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.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
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 direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing 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

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required identification and evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160.
Monitor patients' responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform and document functions required to discontinue treatment, including vital signs before reinfusion, standing and sitting blood pressure, access evaluation, hemostasis, and dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and report significant information or changes in condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Conduct patient and machine safety checks and report unusual findings.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with 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 business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain safe and clean areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, perform and document required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures and omitted or corrected entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for appropriate placement.
Prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens and ensure collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection control audits, support adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under direction as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as allowed by state law; liaise with relevant staff to support the patient experience and ensure visits are scheduled according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and how home dialysis may work for them.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as part of treatment-options education.
Assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and attend regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings when required.