Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Katy, TX

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, 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 environment, and supports the Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities intended to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The PCT assists with patient education and dialysis treatments, including assessing vascular access, taking vital signs and weights, initiating and monitoring treatment, responding to problems as directed, documenting care, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also includes machine and environmental preparation, infection-control practices, laboratory specimen handling, clinical record keeping, and support for staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with other staff, supports patients in understanding home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with modality transitions and unit inventory. The role involves patient interaction and direct care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to meetings. Work includes computer and desk tasks as well as frequent standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients or supplies. The employee may be exposed to infectious materials and 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. A high school diploma or GED is required. The technician must meet applicable CMS-approved certification requirements and complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification to continue employment. Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
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 that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Ability to work in a health care facility environment and potentially be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases or materials.

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 access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and monitor patient responses to dialysis therapy.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion; discontinue treatment according to established procedures; evaluate patients before treatment termination and discharge; obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Record accurate and timely vital signs, treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, and other patient treatment information in the required records and clinical application.
Report significant information, changes in condition, unusual findings, and vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, complete required machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
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, prepare or print laboratory requisitions, and coordinate laboratory specimen collection by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted 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, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see the patient according to the plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; 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 supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required.