Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Chesapeake, VA

9d•$16 - $26

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities focused on quality goals, patient satisfaction, and process improvement. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, performs vascular access assessments and cannulation, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, responds to treatment issues as directed, and documents treatment information. The role also prepares and processes laboratory specimens, maintains treatment equipment and cleanliness, supports infection-control practices, assists with staff training under nurse supervision, and monitors patients performing self-care under RN supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, supports patients’ understanding of treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with modality transitions, equipment preparation, supply ordering, and inventory. The position involves desk and computer work and regular interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The work takes place in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and occasional pushing or pulling equipment. The employee may frequently lift or lower items up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift items up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing it does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable 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 continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required vascular access evaluations and patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings; calculate and enter machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, monitor patient responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform required pre-treatment machine alarm testing, conduct machine safety checks, ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, evaluate patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Complete and document pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, treatment parameters, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as needed and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and immediately clean blood spills according to facility policy.
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.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, training systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and support adherence to infection-control practices and policies.
Complete and document participation in CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork; prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with collecting information for infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee, as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients and liaise with appropriate staff to help ensure disciplines see patients according to the plan.
Help patients understand home-dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with coordination of transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.