Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Covington, LA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions 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 organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients through dialysis treatment, assesses vascular access, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatment according to prescribed orders, responds to treatment issues as directed, and documents care accurately. The position also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining treatment records, supporting infection-control practices, and assisting with staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, and supports patient understanding of home dialysis and treatment options. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations and involves direct patient care, including lifting and moving patients and equipment.

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.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational 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.
Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Employees must 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 a related facility.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders and calculate and enter machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform reinfusion and discontinue dialysis according to established procedures; assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Complete and document patient evaluations, treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and responses in the required treatment records and clinical applications.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled, observe patients, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment and report unusual findings or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and store specimens according to laboratory requirements, and ensure collection by the appropriate courier.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff under the supervision of a nurse.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare machines for treatment, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted or incorrect entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, and support infection-control education for patients and families as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with facility staff to coordinate planned services, and help patients understand home dialysis products and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstrations such as peritoneal dialysis setup, and coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and customer service standards.