Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Natchitoches, LA

5d•Onsite

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 organization policies, procedures, and 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 intended to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient assessment, vascular access care, treatment setup and monitoring, vital-sign and weight measurement, documentation, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. It also includes laboratory specimen collection and preparation, equipment preparation and disinfection, infection-control support, and assistance with staff training under nurse supervision. In a Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports understanding of home dialysis options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. The role involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Employees may be exposed to infectious or contagious materials. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to perform direct patient-care duties involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds, as high as 5 feet; the position may also require occasionally pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
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 last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency; cannulate access and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and document interventions and outcomes.
Perform required functions to discontinue treatment, assess patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis-machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, vital signs, and other treatment information accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate signatures.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare, organize, and efficiently use supplies and equipment; immediately clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient-care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document CQI activities, and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and promptly.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to plan.
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.
Assist other health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and access where appropriate.