Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Oklahoma City, OK

22d

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 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 work environment, and supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. The PCT provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including preparing patients and equipment, monitoring patients and vascular access, documenting treatment information, responding to changes in patient status, and collecting laboratory specimens. The role also supports staff training, infection control, and—in a Transitional Care Unit—new patients during their first four weeks of dialysis and their transition to a chosen treatment modality. The position involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians; travel between assigned facilities and community locations; and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. Work takes place in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise. Exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials is possible. Physical work includes frequent and prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and lifting solutions and equipment. Ishihara color blindness testing is a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

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 organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Pass the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and lowering solutions, and assisting patients with movement and ambulation.

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.
Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and under applicable supervision or state law.
Evaluate vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required identification and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling as prescribed.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide or document interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform treatment discontinuation and reinfusion procedures, obtain required vital signs, evaluate patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, conduct machine safety checks, and report changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Complete accurate and timely treatment records, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and clinical application entries; review sheets for completeness and follow up on omissions or corrections by appropriate staff.
Report significant information and changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, and store specimens according to laboratory specifications; prepare requisitions and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis equipment and conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT); initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Complete and document ongoing participation in CQI activities.
Prepare initial patient charts and organize admission paperwork.
Assist with infection control audits, follow infection control policies and procedures, support staff and patient adherence, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled interdisciplinary visits.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist in coordinating transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.