Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Nassawadox, VA

2d•$14 - $23

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 involves setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, helping maintain a safe and clean environment, and supporting the Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted, takes and records pre-, during-, and post-treatment measurements, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment issues as directed. The technician also performs machine safety checks, documents treatment information, reports changes in patient condition, obtains and prepares laboratory specimens, and maintains supplies and equipment. Additional responsibilities include supporting staff training, infection-control practices, and the transitional care of newly admitted dialysis patients. In the transitional care unit, the PCT helps coordinate education, treatment, modality selection, scheduling, and supplies. The role requires direct patient care and may involve travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious materials.

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.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Pass 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; regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as 5 feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
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- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform vascular-access evaluations, and document patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and report significant information or changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform treatment discontinuation and reinfusion procedures, obtain required vital signs, evaluate the patient before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment records and clinical applications.
Monitor patients’ vascular access and arterial and venous pressures during treatment; intervene as appropriate and report unusual findings.
Conduct patient and machine safety checks, ensure required alarms are enabled, and perform pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and maintain supplies and equipment to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under a nurse’s supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment; disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures, and arrange for corrections by appropriate staff.
Prepare admission charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for routine or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, and participate in patient and family infection-control education as directed and permitted by law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and modality choices, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with coordinating transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, and help manage unit supplies and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community, and attend regional, Business Unit, or corporate meetings when required.