Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Winnfield, LA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) 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 organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean treatment environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment; assesses vascular access, takes and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatments, responds to treatment issues as directed, and documents treatment data. The position also involves preparing and handling laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and treatment areas, supporting infection-control practices, and helping patients understand relevant care and treatment options. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis and helps coordinate their care and transition to a chosen modality. The role includes frequent interaction with patients and care-team members, work at assigned facilities and community locations, and direct patient care involving lifting, moving, and assisting patients. The work environment is a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. A high school diploma or GED is required. Continued employment depends on completing the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification; applicable CMS-approved certification requirements must be met within the required timeline.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required 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 remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
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, bending, and lifting or moving patients, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.
Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment requiring up to 15 pounds of force.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, during-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required identification and evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Monitor patients' responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic issues, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient observation and machine safety checks.
Assess vascular access and monitor arterial and venous pressures during treatment; intervene as appropriate and report unusual findings.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange appropriate pickup of specimens.
Clean blood spills promptly 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 under nurse supervision.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between patients.
Prepare dialysis treatments and perform required pretreatment machine alarm tests, including Pressure Holding Tests.
Initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness and corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, and support patient and family education under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law and coordinate with facility staff to support the patient experience.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
Assist with coordinating patients' transition to their chosen modality and support Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.