Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Rocky Mount, VA

2d•$14 - $23

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of a dialysis health care team, providing 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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality enhancement and continuous improvement activities related to patient outcomes and satisfaction. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated or legally permitted heparin administration, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues prescribed dialysis treatments, monitors treatment response, and documents care. The role also includes responding to treatment issues, reporting significant changes to a nurse or supervisor, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, and maintaining infection-control practices and equipment. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, helps coordinate transitions to the patient's selected modality, and assists with inventory and supply ordering. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and frequent standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Employment is contingent on completing the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification. 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 any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated 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; 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, assisting with ambulation, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. The role may require frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; equipment or coworker assistance is available for heavier items.
Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
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 evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide or document interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform safety checks, ensure required alarms are enabled, and report unusual findings or changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, obtain vital signs before reinfusion, evaluate patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Complete accurate and timely documentation of treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, vital signs, weights, and progress notes where applicable.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis machines, perform required pretreatment alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required nursing signatures and corrections are completed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the care manager 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 information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions 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.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and attend regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings when required.