Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Jackson, MS

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective home dialysis therapy and training under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. Work must follow organizational policies and procedures and comply with applicable state and federal regulations. The technician assists with home dialysis equipment setup and helps maintain a safe, clean environment for the home therapy program. The role supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), continuous quality improvement, patient satisfaction, and process improvement activities. Duties are performed under the direct supervision of the Home Therapies registered nurse (HT RN), as permitted by law and policy. The position supports patients receiving home hemodialysis (HHD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). Responsibilities include reinforcing training, collecting and documenting patient and treatment information, assisting with treatment preparation and monitoring, maintaining equipment and supplies, supporting patients and care partners, and completing related clerical and clinical tasks. Some duties depend on state law, required competencies, and direction from the HT RN. The work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel is required between assigned facilities and various community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may also be required. The environment is characteristic of a health care facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise. Employees may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The role also requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending, and may involve pushing or pulling equipment and lifting dialysis solutions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (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 mission, culture, core values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Meet applicable state and/or competency requirements to perform phlebotomy, where required.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation; frequent, prolonged standing and bending; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; and frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as 5 feet.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and community locations.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Reinforce home hemodialysis (HHD) and/or peritoneal dialysis (PD) training as permitted by law.
Welcome patients, obtain vital signs and weights, and gather information for the Clinic Visit Intake form.
Build and maintain communication and rapport with patients, care partners, the HT RN, staff, providers, and other team members.
Obtain and review treatment records for completion and report missing or abnormal information to the HT RN.
Assist with electronic reconciliation of home treatments, medications, and oral nutritional supplements, and report missing data or orders to the HT RN.
Assist HT RNs with home visits and provide home support when applicable and permissible.
Prepare supplies for prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for shipping.
Assist with tracking and shipping transplant-related laboratory specimens and reinforce transplant education.
Complete and document opening and closing daily chores.
Disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, tables, and other equipment between patient visits and routinely.
Prepare exam and training rooms for home dialysis training, treatment, or other visits; stock exam, training, treatment, and storage rooms.
Manage supplies to maximize use and minimize waste; assist patients and care partners with supply and inventory ordering and management.
Schedule patient appointments and contact patients or caregivers with appointment information and reminders.
Support patient registration and use of connected health; maintain logs and tracking.
Order and track clinic or office supplies as directed.
Participate in medical records, infection control, and other audit processes as directed.
Collaborate with others during staff huddles and meetings.
Collect required documentation for patient admission and prepare and maintain electronic or hard-copy patient charts as directed.
Perform clerical duties as assigned, including answering phones, faxing, email, and contacting provider offices.
For HHD, set up, tear down, program, test, and disinfect the HHD machine as directed; troubleshoot machinery, tools, and connectivity issues.
For HHD, prepare dialysate and dialysis supplies according to directions and standing or provider orders.
For HHD, evaluate dialysis access before treatment, document findings, and report abnormal findings to the HT RN.
For HHD, initiate treatment and monitor and document patient status, vital signs, and machine data.
For HHD, perform and document safety checks at intervals required by CMS and facility policy; report significant patient-status changes to the HT RN and document them.
For HHD, provide and document interventions in response to interdialytic events as directed and permissible.
For HHD, obtain and document pre-treatment termination and post-treatment vital signs, report post-treatment results to the HT RN, and ensure access hemostasis before leaving the treatment area.
Assist with quarterly, semi-annual, and annual water and dialysate testing as directed.
For PD, troubleshoot cycler, modem, and connectivity issues.
For PD, perform prescribed phlebotomy as directed, subject to state and/or competency requirements.
For PD, set up the cycler and prepare and warm PD solutions as directed; assist with exit-site care as directed.
Assist with tracking PD equipment.
Perform other duties as assigned.