Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Pelham, AL

15d

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 treatment environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient outcomes and satisfaction. The PCT follows organizational policies and procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal requirements. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient check-in, vascular access assessment and cannulation, vital-sign and weight measurement, treatment initiation and monitoring, intervention for treatment issues as directed, treatment discontinuation, hemostasis, documentation, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also performs machine safety checks, laboratory specimen handling, infection-control tasks, and related record keeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment options and home dialysis, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. The role involves desk and computer work, interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work environment is typical of a health care facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing and bending, and occasional pushing or pulling equipment. Employees may need to lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally. Assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable 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 as a condition of continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification as a condition of continued employment.
Take 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 the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions as described.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and prepare supplies and equipment for treatment.
Welcome patients, inquire about their wellbeing, assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intradialytic, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and complete relevant patient evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Check machine safety, enable required safety alarms, conduct pretreatment alarm testing, and monitor patients’ responses to therapy.
Identify and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed; document interventions and patient responses and report significant changes or unusual findings to a nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters and patient information accurately and promptly, including treatment sheets, progress notes where applicable, and clinical application entries.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, provide appropriate interventions, and report and document unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas according to facility policy.
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, and appropriate care environment and follow organizational business policies, procedures, ethical practices, and infection-control requirements.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and assist with infection-control audits and education under appropriate direction.
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, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure laboratory specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
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 as permitted by state law, and coordinate with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.