Acute Inpatient Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Midland, TX

21h

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of the hemodialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy to assigned patients in the acute setting. The technician works under the supervision of the FKC RN and follows FMCNA policies, procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The role supports a safe and clean work environment, quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities, and productivity goals. With documented competency and proficiency, the technician may set up and prime equipment for renal replacement therapies as directed by a Fresenius Nurse. The technician monitors patients before, during, and after treatment; records treatment information; performs prescribed dialysis procedures; responds to patient concerns and treatment issues; and reports unusual findings to the FMCNA RN. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community, frequent prolonged standing, bending, and assistance with patient mobility and lifting. 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.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS).
Any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
1–2 years of related experience.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending.
Ability to assist with patient lifting, moving, and ambulation; may occasionally assist in moving equipment weighing up to 200 pounds and lift chemical or water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds to a height of up to 5 feet. Assistance devices or coworkers may be available.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care to assigned patients in the acute setting under the supervision of the FKC RN.
Promote and assist in maintaining a safe and clean working environment.
Support Quality Enhancement Program and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement.
Promote and assist in meeting Total Area Productivity goals.
When documented competency and proficiency allow, set up and prime equipment for hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement, and peritoneal dialysis therapies as directed by the Fresenius Nurse.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their well-being since their last treatment; report complaints or observations to the FMCNA RN.
Evaluate vascular access for patency and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, reporting unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Perform vascular access cannulation and report cannulation difficulties or unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, sodium modeling, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including narrow venous limits (NVL 160).
Record accurate and timely vital signs and treatment parameters on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification.
Initiate renal replacement treatment according to prescribed orders, including setting blood flow and dialysate flow rates or providing peritoneal dialysis as prescribed by the attending nephrologist.
Collect and label specimens and ensure timely delivery to the laboratory according to facility policy.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed by physician order or directed by the FMCNA RN.
Monitor patient response to dialysis therapy and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform the functions necessary to discontinue treatment, including documentation.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document the patient's response.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures; provide appropriate interventions, document, and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures.
Evaluate patients before termination of venous access, including standing and sitting blood pressures; obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and report unusual findings to the FMCNA RN.
Perform and record pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, weights, and vital signs with initial identification.
Perform other duties as required.