Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Newport Beach, CA

7d•$25 - $27•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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable state and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, supports a safe and clean work environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities focused on patient satisfaction and improving patient outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including welcoming patients, assessing their condition and vascular access, taking and recording vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment as prescribed, monitoring patients and equipment, responding to treatment issues as directed, and documenting care. The PCT also obtains and prepares laboratory specimens, maintains infection-control practices, cleans and disinfects equipment and treatment areas, and assists with staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, helps patients understand treatment options and home dialysis, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. The role involves work in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, business unit, or corporate meetings. Work includes interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians; exposure to infectious or contagious materials; frequent standing and bending; and lifting and moving patients or supplies. A high school diploma or GED is required. State or national CMS-approved certification requirements must be met within the applicable timeline, and continued employment depends on completing the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.

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.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record 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 ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, assess intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess patients before and after treatment, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment sheets and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly surroundings; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between patients.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, follow applicable policies and procedures, and support patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted 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, the benefits of home dialysis, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
Assist with coordinating patients’ transitions to their chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Comply with organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, culture, values, and customer service standards.