Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Los Lunas, NM

12d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean environment, and contributing to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), patient satisfaction, and process improvement activities. Training is provided. The PCT provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including welcoming patients, taking and documenting weights and vital signs, assessing vascular access, cannulating access, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patients and equipment, responding to problems as directed, and documenting treatment details. The technician also prepares laboratory specimens, maintains treatment areas and equipment, follows infection-control practices, and supports patient education and self-care under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, helps coordinate their transitional care, reinforces education, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with modality transitions and supply inventory. The role involves direct patient contact, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and the physical demands of moving and assisting patients and handling supplies and equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Pass the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting and lowering supplies or solutions.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access, 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 patient identification and pre-treatment vascular access evaluation.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis-machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide prescribed or directed interventions; document interventions and responses.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess patients before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and document treatment evaluations, parameters, vital signs, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Perform machine safety checks and observe patients; report significant information, changes, or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, document findings, and report unusual results to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the 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, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe, clean, and orderly areas.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document where appropriate, complete required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or 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 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, and liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate services according to the patient’s plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with coordination of transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, and help manage TCU supplies and inventory.