Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Lake City, SC

13d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team and provides safe, 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 following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The PCT supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities, including initiatives related to patient satisfaction and care outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patient response, recording treatment information, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. Duties also include collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining infection-control practices, cleaning and preparing equipment between treatments, and completing required clinical documentation. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, supports patients in understanding treatment options and home dialysis, and assists with transition to the patient’s chosen modality. The role requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations and involves direct patient care and physical activity, including lifting and moving patients and supplies.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must have all applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s 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 preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation; frequent and prolonged standing; bending; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as 5 feet. Assistance devices or coworkers may assist with heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their well-being since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intradialytic, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required pre- and post-treatment evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment times, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient observation and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document patient responses.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as needed and report and document unusual findings.
Document treatment parameters and patient information accurately and promptly, complete treatment sheets and applicable progress notes, and enter treatment data in the designated clinical application.
Report significant information and changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste; clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant.
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 machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document preparation as required, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and 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 appropriate direction.
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 appropriate staff to coordinate the patient experience and scheduled disciplines.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordinating transitions to the patient’s selected modality, set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.