Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Wake Forest, NC

14d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and participating in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities that support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The technician supports patient education and care throughout dialysis treatment, including taking and recording vital signs and weights, evaluating vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to orders and procedures, monitoring patient responses, addressing treatment issues as directed, collecting laboratory specimens, and documenting care accurately. The role also involves cleaning and preparing equipment, following infection-control practices, supporting staff training under nurse supervision, and completing clinical and administrative records. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate the patient’s care and modality transition, supports understanding of home dialysis options, and assists with equipment, supply ordering, and inventory. The work includes computer and desk tasks, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and other community locations. The health care environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care involves frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and occasional equipment pushing or pulling. The role may require lifting solutions weighing up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, with assistance or devices available for heavier items. Employees must take an Ishihara color blindness test; failing the test does not automatically 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.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
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 the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and 40 pounds occasionally, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their well-being since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed or directed; monitor patient response to therapy.
Perform treatment discontinuation procedures, assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly; report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills and prepare and organize 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 policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Complete and document participation in CQI activities and enter treatment data in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required nursing signatures and corrections or omitted entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under direction as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; 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.