Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Cuyahoga Falls, OH

23d•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. The role follows organizational policies, procedures, and training requirements, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments as prescribed, monitoring patients and machine safety, recording treatment information, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also assists with patient education, staff training, infection control, and—when assigned to a Transitional Care Unit—coordination and education for newly admitted patients exploring dialysis treatment options. The work includes desk and computer tasks and regular interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The healthcare work environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The role also requires frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or lowering dialysis solutions and equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Continued employment is contingent on successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Ability to perform the described physical duties, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; assisting with patient movement and ambulation; frequently lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist with patient education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and within the scope allowed by state law.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required patient identification and vascular-access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and report significant information or changes in condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform required treatment discontinuation procedures, obtain vital signs before reinfusion, assess patients before termination and discharge, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, observe patients, conduct machine safety checks, and evaluate vascular access and monitoring pressures during treatment; document and report unusual findings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment records and clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and route specimens according to laboratory requirements; and ensure courier collection.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and prepare and organize supplies and equipment 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 organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe, clean, and orderly areas.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, complete and document required machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing or corrected entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission and placement in the chart; prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled discipline visits, and help patients understand home dialysis products and options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality, and help coordinate TCU supplies and inventory.