Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Akron, OH

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, 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 PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, supports a safe and clean care 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 treatments, including assessing vascular access, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patient responses, documenting care, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. Other duties include preparing equipment and supplies, collecting and processing laboratory specimens, maintaining infection-control practices, and completing treatment and quality records. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with equipment and supply needs. The work includes desk and computer tasks and frequent interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings may also be required. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The role involves regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and occasional pushing or pulling equipment. Solutions may need to be lifted or lowered frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds, as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees 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.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable 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 completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on 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 the described physical demands, including patient lifting and movement, frequent prolonged standing and bending, and lifting or lowering solutions.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility.

Responsibilities

Assist the health care team with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pretreatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and perform required machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and document patient responses.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and report unusual findings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and other patient-care information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information and changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between patients according to facility policy.
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 a nurse’s supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and infection-control requirements; reinforce infection-control practices and education as directed.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment and participate in infection-control audits and CQI activities.
Enter treatment data into the designated clinical application; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing or incorrect entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, 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.