Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Los Angeles, CA

7d•$25 - $27

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 work environment, and participating in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and facility procedures, and responds to treatment-related concerns under the direction of a nurse or physician. The technician documents treatment parameters and interventions, performs machine safety checks, obtains prescribed laboratory specimens, and maintains supplies and equipment. The role also includes helping train applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision, maintaining infection-control practices, and supporting transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks. In the transitional care unit, the PCT reinforces patient education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports understanding of home dialysis options, and assists with equipment and supply needs. The work involves patient and facility interaction, desk and computer work, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The health care environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct patient care includes frequent standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation. Employees may occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower solutions up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take an Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will 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 and CPR certification to continue 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 described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment.

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 previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required patient identification and vascular access evaluation.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, intervene as prescribed or directed, monitor patient responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform pre- and post-dialysis evaluations and treatment discontinuation procedures, including vital signs before reinfusion, standing and sitting blood pressure, hemostasis, dressings, and assessment before discharge.
Enable appropriate machine safety alarms, observe patients, conduct machine safety checks, and assess vascular access and monitoring pressures during treatment.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and 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.
Follow organization policies, procedures, ethical business practices, and training requirements; maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, complete and document required 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 and ensure missing or corrected entries and nursing signatures are appropriately addressed.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure laboratory specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed 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 as allowed by state law, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with coordination of transitions to the patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.