Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Alexandria, LA

13d

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, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, supports a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments. Duties include welcoming patients, assessing their wellbeing and vascular access, obtaining and documenting weights and vital signs, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders, monitoring patient responses, responding to intradialytic problems as directed, and reporting changes in condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also performs and documents treatment-related tasks, prepares and collects laboratory specimens, and monitors patients performing self-care under RN supervision. The PCT maintains treatment areas and equipment, performs required machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing, follows infection control practices, and completes clinical and quality records. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment options and home dialysis, and assists with transition planning and supply inventory. The work includes desk and computer tasks, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The healthcare-facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise levels, and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The role involves frequent standing and bending, and regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, with occasional pushing or pulling of equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Hold any applicable state licensure and complete required education and training.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's 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.
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 direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending, regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy as part of the health care team under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines, calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain, record, and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, patient evaluations, and treatment parameters.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Monitor patient responses, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Obtain prescribed laboratory testing; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
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 environmental integrity and aesthetics and help ensure areas are safe and clean.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare or print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices, and reinforce infection control education for patients and families as directed and 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 facility staff to support the patient experience and coordinate visits according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality, and help coordinate supply ordering and inventory.