Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Winchester, VA

4d•$15 - $24

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, helping maintain a safe and clean environment, and supporting quality improvement activities focused on patient outcomes and satisfaction. The technician assists with patient education and care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, cannulation, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patient responses, addressing problems as directed, documenting treatment details, and reporting changes to the registered nurse or supervisor. The position also includes laboratory specimen handling, machine and environmental cleaning, safety checks, infection-control activities, and accurate clinical recordkeeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, helps patients understand treatment options and home dialysis, and supports transition to the patient's chosen modality. The work involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and frequent physical activity, including standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients or equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all appropriate state licensure, education, and training requirements, if any.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational 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.
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.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment 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 regarding adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome patients, ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment, and evaluate vascular access for patency.
Perform vascular access cannulation and administer heparin when delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including relevant pre-treatment and post-treatment evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients' responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, evaluate patients before termination of venous access and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate and monitor vascular access during treatment, document findings and interventions, and report unusual findings or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly on treatment sheets and in clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Conduct tasks necessary to prepare for dialysis, including required pretreatment machine alarm testing and initiation of the Solution Delivery System.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits, and reinforce infection-control practices and education as directed.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
In the Transitional Care Unit, 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 allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, explain treatment options, and assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.