Patient care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Pittsburgh, PA

15d•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, following organization policies, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, providing direct patient care, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients before, during, and after dialysis; assesses vascular access; performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted; takes and documents vital signs and weights; initiates, monitors, and discontinues dialysis treatments; responds to treatment issues; and reports significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor. The role also involves machine safety checks, treatment documentation, laboratory specimen handling, infection control, and maintaining supplies and equipment. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, assists with transitions to the patient's chosen modality, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The position includes 12 weeks of paid, structured training with an assigned preceptor and educator. No prior dialysis experience is required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
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 and CPR certification to continue employment.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, assisting with ambulation, and lifting or moving patients, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.
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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform vascular access cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow; calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patients and machine safety during treatment, evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform required functions to discontinue treatment, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, evaluate patients before termination and discharge, and document treatment and patient response.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT).
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens; and prepare lab requisitions as needed.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment, clean and disinfect the machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments, and immediately clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist in training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Enter treatment data accurately and promptly, complete treatment records and progress notes as applicable, review treatment sheets for completeness, and prepare initial patient charts and paperwork.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection control audits; reinforce infection control practices and education under the direction of the appropriate staff member.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education for new patients, liaise with facility staff to coordinate care, and support patients' understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transitions to patients' chosen modality, and help coordinate supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe, clean, and aesthetically appropriate work environment.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.