Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Gardendale, AL

10d•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 environment, and following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The PCT supports the Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The PCT welcomes patients, assesses their wellbeing and vascular access, obtains and records pre- and post-treatment measurements, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders, monitors patients and machines, responds to treatment issues as directed, and documents care accurately. The role also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and treatment areas, supporting infection-control practices, and assisting with staff training under a nurse’s supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, supports transitions to the chosen modality, and assists with supplies and inventory. The work involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community, frequent standing and bending, and regular lifting or moving of patients and supplies. The employee may encounter infectious materials and must take an Ishihara color-blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Hold any applicable state licensure and complete required education and training.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Pass the Ishihara color-blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient assistance and lifting, and occasional pushing or pulling of equipment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up, operate, and conduct required safety checks on hemodialysis machines, including pretreatment alarm testing and Pressure Holding Test (PHT).
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, vascular access assessments, and treatment parameters.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures, including programming ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling as prescribed.
Monitor patient responses and machine safety during treatment; identify problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge.
Collect, prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of prescribed laboratory specimens; prepare lab requisitions as needed.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and promptly clean blood spills using the appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste; assist with supply ordering and inventory for the Transitional Care Unit.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under a nurse’s supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and infection-control policies; support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for placement in the chart.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, and help ensure that appropriate disciplines see patients according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home-dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, explain treatment options, and assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.