Patient Care Technician- PCT- Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Wilkes-Barre, PA

1d•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 organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable state and federal requirements. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and participates in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities aimed at improving patient satisfaction and outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patients and vascular access, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring responses, addressing problems as directed, documenting treatment information, and reporting changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. It also involves preparing and maintaining equipment and supplies, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, cleaning and disinfecting treatment areas, and supporting infection control practices. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, explains home dialysis options, and assists with treatment, supply ordering, and inventory. The position requires successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification for continued employment. A high school diploma or GED is required, and the employee must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline. Work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, 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 healthcare work environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, and bending. The role may involve pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force and frequently lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take an Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

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.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including patient handling, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment.
Take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and as permitted by state law.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, during-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required patient identification and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients and machine safety during treatment, identify intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures; obtain required vital signs, assess the patient and access, achieve hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate the patient before discharge.
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in condition, and unusual findings 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.
Clean blood spills promptly and 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 programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, perform and document required machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Tests, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omissions or corrections with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Support infection control audits and adherence to infection control practices; follow infection control policies and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee, as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the 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.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, and systems, including ethical business practices.