Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT

Fresenius Medical Care•Suffolk, VA

13d•$16 - $26

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, performs pre- and post-treatment assessments and vital signs, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors treatment response, and documents care. The role also includes preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and treatment areas, supporting infection-control practices, and assisting with patient education and staff training as permitted by state law and under appropriate supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, demonstrates treatment options as appropriate, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. The work involves direct patient care in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and other locations in the community. Physical duties include standing for prolonged periods, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and frequently lifting solutions up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting up to 40 pounds.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to perform direct patient care duties involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds.
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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assist with patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide or document interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform safety checks, ensure required alarms are enabled, monitor vascular access pressures, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, obtain required vital signs, assess the patient before discharge, and obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, vital signs, treatment parameters, and applicable progress notes.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Support patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits; reinforce infection-control practices and education under appropriate direction.
Prepare initial patient charts, compile paperwork, review treatment sheets for completeness, and arrange correction of omitted entries by appropriate staff.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforce education, coordinate care and discipline visits, and help coordinate transitions to the patient’s chosen modality.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate treatment options including peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with TCU supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and customer service standards.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and attend regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings when required.