Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Bend, OR

12d

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 organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal requirements. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and participates in quality improvement activities intended to support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patient responses, documenting care, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. It also includes laboratory specimen handling, infection-control activities, treatment-area and equipment preparation, and support for patients new to dialysis or considering home dialysis options. The work takes place in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise. Employees may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The role involves desk and computer work, interaction with patients and clinical staff, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and potentially travel to organizational meetings. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The employee must frequently stand for prolonged periods and bend over, may occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force, and frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds. Occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds as high as five feet may be required; two-person assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required timeline and hold any required state licensure or complete required education and training. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification. Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Hold any appropriate state licensure and complete any required education and training.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued 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, patient assistance and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment within the stated weight limits.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Educate patients, as appropriate and as allowed by state law, about adequacy measures, the disease process, vascular access, infection control, and treatment or modality options.
Assess vascular access for patency, cannulate access, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including initial patient identification and relevant pre-discontinuation measurements.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and perform patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, document patient responses, and promptly report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and document treatment completion.
Maintain accurate and timely treatment records, including vital signs, treatment parameters, treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and data in the designated clinical application.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills immediately using the appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection-control policies and procedures.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment; disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education under appropriate supervision.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm required nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and coordinate specimen collection by the appropriate courier.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care and scheduled services with appropriate staff.
In the Transitional Care Unit, reinforce education and care information, help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with coordination of transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
In the Transitional Care Unit, set up and perform treatment on machines used in the unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.