Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Tulsa, OK

11d•Onsite

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 organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvement. The position provides patient-specific support throughout dialysis treatment, including obtaining weights and vital signs, assessing and cannulating vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders, monitoring patient responses, responding to problems as directed, documenting treatment information, and reporting significant changes to a nurse or supervisor. The PCT also collects and prepares laboratory specimens, performs machine and safety checks, maintains supplies and equipment, and assists with patient education and staff training under appropriate supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates with facility staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with transition planning and supply inventory. The role involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and may include travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings. Work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, staff, and physicians. The environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Physical duties include frequent prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment; assistance devices and coworkers are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must hold all appropriate state licenses and complete required education and training, if any.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.
Ability to perform the described essential physical functions, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment.
Must 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

Provide patient-specific education support regarding dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform access cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations, and obtain vital signs before reinfusion.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and evaluate patients before and after treatment.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis and evaluate intradialytic problems, providing 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, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and conduct patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge and before termination of venous access, including standing and sitting blood pressure measurements.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in the appropriate records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange for courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment, use them efficiently, and help prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and infection control policies and procedures.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
Participate in and document CQI activities and assist with infection control audits and education of patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee, as allowed by state law.
Complete dialysis treatment preparation tasks, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, prepare or print laboratory requisitions, and ensure laboratory specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup as part of treatment-options education.
Assist with coordination of transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.