Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Baton Rouge, LA

7d•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, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, helping maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supporting Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues prescribed dialysis treatments, monitors treatment response, intervenes as directed, and documents treatment information. The position also includes preparing and collecting laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and supplies, conducting machine safety checks, following infection-control procedures, and supporting staff training under nurse supervision. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with TCU supplies and inventory. The position involves desk and computer work, interaction with patients and care teams, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work environment is a temperature-controlled health care facility with moderate noise and possible exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and frequent prolonged standing and bending. The role may also require pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lifting or lowering solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable 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 continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Pass the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, assistance with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing and bending, pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds, and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed or directed; monitor and document patients’ responses to therapy and interventions.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatments according to established procedures, assess patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Conduct patient and machine safety checks, monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, and report changes, unusual findings, or significant patient information to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets and applicable progress notes; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare, organize, and efficiently use supplies and equipment; clean spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant.
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, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, complete required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document CQI activities, and enter treatment data accurately and promptly into the designated clinical application.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and print requisitions for prescribed or stat laboratory specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted 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 information for new patients as permitted by state law; coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with TCU supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and customer service standards.