Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Shreveport, LA

6d•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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean care environment, and complying with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The PCT supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including welcoming and assessing patients, evaluating and cannulating vascular access, taking and documenting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders, monitoring patient responses, and reporting significant changes to a nurse or supervisor. The technician also performs machine safety checks, documents treatment information, collects laboratory specimens, maintains infection-control practices, and prepares and cleans treatment equipment and work areas. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with supplies and inventory. The role involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, business-unit, or corporate meetings may also be required. The job involves frequent standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients or supplies, with assistance and devices available for heavier items.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required 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.
Pass the Ishihara color-vision test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients, with assistance available as needed.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility.

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members in providing patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular-access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment times, and modeling.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, evaluate patients before discharge, and document treatment completion.
Ensure machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient observations and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly; report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, provide appropriate interventions, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare, organize, and efficiently use supplies and equipment 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 a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures or corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts, organize admission paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control 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 information for new patients as allowed by state law, and liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with coordination of the patient’s modality transition.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.