Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Indianapolis, IN

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 follows organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, helping maintain a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients before, during, and after treatment; assesses vascular access; performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted; obtains and records vital signs and weights; initiates, monitors, and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders; responds to treatment issues as directed; and documents treatment information accurately. The role also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, monitoring machine safety, preparing treatment areas and supplies, cleaning and disinfecting equipment, and supporting infection-control practices. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate newly admitted patients’ first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, helps coordinate transitions to a chosen modality, and assists with supplies and inventory. The position includes desk and computer work, interaction with patients and clinical staff, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and direct patient care involving lifting, moving, and assisting patients. The work environment is a health care facility, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials.

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 organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued 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 direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending; heavy lifting and moving of patients; assisting with ambulation; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; and occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force. Assistance from coworkers or equipment may be available, including a two-person assist program and material-assist devices.
Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required patient identification and evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders and calculate and enter machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Check that required machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, and intervene as prescribed or directed; report significant changes and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess patients before treatment termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, patient status, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly in the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and applicable clinical records.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of laboratory specimens according to requirements.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
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 and clean environment.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; enter treatment data accurately and review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate signatures and corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and coordinate laboratory specimen pickup.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under direction 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 information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with TCU supply ordering and inventory.