Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Talladega, AL

21d

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, and training, along with applicable state and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and achieving organizational quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment, assesses vascular access, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to patient or machine-related issues. The role includes documenting treatment parameters and interventions, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and infection-control practices, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician helps coordinate new patients’ first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, assists with modality transitions, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The role also assists with training direct patient care staff under nurse supervision and completing continuous quality improvement activities. The position involves work in a health care facility, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and other community locations. Work includes computer and desk tasks as well as direct patient care, which may involve lifting and moving patients, prolonged standing, bending, and handling supplies and equipment. Exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials is possible. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; a failing result does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet 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 organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on completion.
Ability to perform the role’s physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and handling supplies and equipment.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre-, during-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required patient identification and evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed patient machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, assess vascular access and monitoring pressures, intervene as prescribed or directed, document responses, and report unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes where applicable, vital signs, parameters, and interventions.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, complete required pretreatment machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Enter treatment data into the designated clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate signatures or corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, assist with audits, and reinforce patient and family education under appropriate supervision.
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, benefits, and options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, and help coordinate TCU supplies and inventory.