Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Tempe, AZ

11d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a clean and safe environment, following organizational policies and applicable regulations, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient outcomes and satisfaction. The PCT supports patients throughout dialysis treatment: welcoming them, assessing their wellbeing and vascular access, recording weights and vital signs, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders, monitoring responses, addressing problems as directed, documenting care, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes laboratory specimen collection and preparation, infection control, equipment cleaning and safety checks, record keeping, 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, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports patient understanding of home dialysis options, operates treatment machines, and assists with supplies and inventory. The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. Work includes desk and computer tasks and regular interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. The employee may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Physical activities include frequent prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment; and frequent lifting or lowering of solutions. Assistance devices and coworkers are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
Ability to perform the physical functions described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; lifting and lowering solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally; and occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force. Assistance devices or coworkers may assist with heavier items.
Must 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

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.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including initial patient identification and pre-treatment vascular access evaluation.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and document interventions and outcomes.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion; discontinue treatment according to established procedures; evaluate patients before termination and discharge; obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter individual dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Accurately and promptly document vital signs, treatment parameters, patient treatment information, and applicable progress notes; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted entries.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
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, clean, and orderly surroundings; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document preparation as appropriate, perform required pretreatment machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Tests, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly into the designated clinical application.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, support adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee 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 matters for new patients as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with coordination of 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.