Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Allen, TX

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works 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 is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvement efforts. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment, checks vascular access, obtains and documents vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatment according to prescribed orders and procedures, responds to treatment issues as directed, and reports changes in patient condition. Duties also include machine safety checks and programming, laboratory specimen collection and handling, accurate clinical documentation, infection-control practices, equipment preparation and cleaning, and assisting with staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and helps coordinate transitional care, education, treatment-option discussions, modality transitions, and supply inventory. The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and regular physical activity including standing, bending, lifting, and assisting patients with movement.

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.
Successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement, and lifting solutions and equipment as described in the posting.
Employees are required to 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

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate 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 evaluations, and other required treatment information.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient and machine safety checks.
Identify and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed; document interventions and patient responses and report unusual findings or changes to the nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access and arterial and venous pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, and report and document unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, and arrange appropriate storage and collection.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in 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 dialysis equipment and conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly 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 for admission and placement in the chart.
Prepare laboratory requisitions, collect and process samples according to laboratory specifications, and ensure pickup by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, and follow infection-control policies and procedures.
Reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee 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 as allowed by state law, and coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and how home dialysis may work for them.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
Help patients understand treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.