Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Alexandria, VA

9d•$17 - $27

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide 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, assisting in maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting the Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, conducts pre- and post-treatment assessments, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors patient response, responds to intradialytic concerns as directed, and documents treatment information. The role also supports laboratory specimen collection, infection control, patient education, staff training, and dialysis equipment and facility preparation. 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, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. This position involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The work includes frequent standing and bending, moving and assisting patients, and lifting solutions and equipment. 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.
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; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
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 direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending, assisting with ambulation, and moving patients, with equipment or coworker assistance as applicable.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force and frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; two-person assistance and material-assist 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 in coordination with other health care team members, including education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required assessments before treatment, before reinfusion, and before discharge.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, provide interventions as directed, and report significant changes or 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 unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection control policies and procedures.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
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 and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
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 prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection control audits and reinforce infection control practices and education for staff, patients, and families 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 matters for new patients and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure scheduled disciplines see the patient according to the plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist in coordinating transitions to the patient’s chosen modality and help manage Transitional Care Unit supplies and inventory.