Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) is part of a dialysis health care team and provides safe, 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, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and achievement of quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment, performs vascular access checks and cannulation, takes and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment-related issues as directed. The role includes programming treatment parameters, monitoring machine safety and patient response, documenting care, reporting significant changes to nursing staff, and collecting and preparing laboratory specimens. Additional duties include cleaning and disinfecting equipment and treatment areas, supporting infection-control practices and audits, helping train applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision, and completing required records and quality-improvement documentation. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care and discipline visits, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and helps coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities. The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility and requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may also be required. Work includes computer and desk tasks and frequent interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Employees may be exposed to infectious materials and are required to take an Ishihara color-vision test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered. The work also requires frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and handling solutions and equipment within the stated weight limits, with assistance or 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.
Demonstrated 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.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and handling solutions and equipment as described.
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 ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Provide or reinforce patient-specific education regarding dialysis adequacy, disease processes, vascular access, infection control, home dialysis, and treatment options, as appropriate and within applicable law.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, evaluations, and patient identification details.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment times, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks; identify and report unusual findings or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document interventions and patient responses.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge and before termination of venous access.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes where applicable, and clinical application entries.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange courier collection of laboratory specimens according to requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and immediately clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently; conduct dialysis preparation tasks and required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure signatures and omitted or corrected entries are addressed 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, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, and follow infection-control policies and procedures.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Assist patients in understanding home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and support 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.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and other process-improvement activities.