Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Gastonia, NC

35d

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 (QEP), continuous quality improvement (CQI), patient satisfaction, and process improvement activities. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, performs pre-, intra-, and post-treatment care, evaluates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and documents treatment information. The position also includes preparing and handling laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and supplies, supporting infection control, and assisting with staff training under nurse 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 transition planning and unit inventory. The role involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and work in a health care environment where exposure to infectious materials may occur.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable 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 the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient lifting and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions weighing up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

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 last treatment.
Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and permitted by state law.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including initial identification and vascular access evaluation.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed patient machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, assess intradialytic problems, and provide or document interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, obtain relevant vital signs, assess patients before discharge, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and report unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Maintain accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and entries in the designated clinical application.
Report significant information or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational 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 for dialysis treatments, complete required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Complete and document participation in CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, reinforce adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies, and support patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.