Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Plainview, TX

11d

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 organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality improvement activities intended to support patient satisfaction and achievement of organizational Quality Enhancement Program goals. The PCT assists with patient education and care before, during, and after dialysis. Duties include assessing vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures, monitoring patient responses and vital signs, responding to problems as directed, documenting treatment information, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes laboratory specimen handling, infection-control practices, equipment cleaning and preparation, and accurate recordkeeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with transition to the patient’s selected modality. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and work in a health care environment where exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials may occur. Physical duties include frequent standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or moving supplies and equipment.

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 to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Ability to perform the position’s physical duties, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and supplies as described.

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 previous treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patients and dialysis machines during treatment, conduct safety checks, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, evaluate the patient before discharge, and document the treatment.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly; report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, store them according to laboratory specifications, and ensure their collection by the appropriate courier.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, clean blood spills promptly, and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between treatments.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under a nurse’s supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, ethical business practices, and infection-control policies.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities, enter treatment data in the designated clinical application, review treatment sheets for completeness, and prepare patient charts and laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education and practices for patients, families, and staff as directed and permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education for new patients, coordinate appointments with appropriate disciplines, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transition to the patient’s selected modality, and support supply ordering and inventory.