Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Madison, WI

11d•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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with patient care, and maintaining a safe and clean work environment in accordance with 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 PCT welcomes patients, obtains and records pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, evaluates vascular access, initiates and monitors dialysis treatments, responds to treatment issues as directed, and discontinues treatments according to established procedures. The role includes documenting treatment information, reporting changes in patient condition, obtaining prescribed laboratory samples, monitoring self-care patients under RN supervision, and assisting with training direct patient care staff under a nurse’s supervision. The position also involves maintaining infection-control practices, preparing and disinfecting equipment and treatment areas, completing treatment records and clinical application entries, and supporting patients and families with infection-control education as directed. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, assists patients in understanding treatment options and home dialysis, performs treatments on TCU machines, and helps coordinate modality transitions and supplies. The work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required, and travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. Frequent prolonged standing and bending are required; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment up to 15 pounds and frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet, are required. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet 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 culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program as a condition of continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification as a condition of continued employment.
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 frequent, prolonged standing and bending; assist with patient lifting, moving, and ambulation; occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift or lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and perform required machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre- and post-treatment evaluations with initial identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, evaluate patients before discharge, and document treatment completion.
Record accurate and timely treatment information, vital signs, parameters, interventions, patient responses, and progress notes as applicable; report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access and arterial and venous pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment to prevent waste.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Conduct tasks needed to prepare for dialysis, initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS), and document required preparation activities.
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education as directed.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with FKC staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Assist patients in understanding home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; help coordinate transitions to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with TCU supply ordering and inventory.