Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Mobile, AL

10d

About The Position

Functions as part of the 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 is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines and helping maintain a safe, clean work environment. The technician supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including preparing patients and equipment, assessing vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patient response, documenting care, and reporting significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. It also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining infection-control practices, and supporting patient education and transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients. Work includes desk and personal computer tasks, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. The role regularly involves direct patient care, heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and frequent prolonged standing and bending. 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.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to perform the essential physical functions of the position, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and moving, and lifting solutions and equipment as described.
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

Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate vascular access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access 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 ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion; discontinue treatment according to established procedures; evaluate patients before termination and discharge; obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly, including completing treatment sheets and applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of laboratory specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills with the 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 and clean areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, conduct and document required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures are documented and omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for appropriate chart placement.
Prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist in gathering information for infection-control audits and support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices and policies.
Participate in and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families 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 scheduling of disciplines according to the plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and how home dialysis may work for them.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit; assist with explaining treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Help coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities and assist with transitional care unit supply ordering and inventory.