Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Brownwood, TX

15d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis healthcare 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, assisting with patient care and treatment monitoring, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and complying with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The PCT supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts related to patient satisfaction and process improvement. The role provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including patient assessment, vascular access care, treatment setup and discontinuation, vital-sign and weight monitoring, documentation, specimen collection, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also supports staff training, infection-control practices, recordkeeping, and transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients, including education and coordination related to treatment and modality options. The work includes desk and computer tasks, interaction with patients and healthcare staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The healthcare-facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct care involves frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and regular heavy lifting or moving of patients, with assistance or material-handling devices available for heavier items. Employees must take an Ishihara color-blindness test; 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 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; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends 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 the described physical functions, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Provide or assist with patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and allowed by state law.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including patient identification and evaluations before and after treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and document patient responses.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate the patient before discharge.
Ensure dialysis machine safety alarms are enabled and perform patient observation and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies and training, maintain a safe and clean environment, and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate signatures; and ensure omissions or errors are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission 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 permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate the patient experience and appointments, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, and assist with transitions to the patient's chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.