Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Creve Coeur, MO

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with patient care and education, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and following organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The PCT supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and monitoring treatment, documenting treatment information, responding to patient status changes, and preparing patients for discharge. Responsibilities also include collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and supplies, supporting infection-control practices, and completing clinical records. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate the first four weeks of dialysis for newly admitted patients, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, and assists with transition to the patient's chosen modality. The work takes place in a health care facility and includes interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians, as well as travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. The role involves frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and handling dialysis solutions and equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
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 remain employed.
Pass the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to stand for prolonged periods, bend over, occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift and lower solutions weighing 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.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including initial identification and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders and program the machine for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Monitor patient response and vascular access during treatment, assess intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform required safety checks and ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, obtain relevant vital signs, assess the patient before termination of venous access and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and follow facility policy.
Prepare 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.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate signatures and corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and support patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate services, and help patients understand home dialysis products and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality, and help coordinate TCU supply ordering and inventory.