Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Tucson, AZ

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean work environment, following organizational policies and regulatory requirements, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated care, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatments, monitors patients’ responses, and reports changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes dialysis machine safety checks and programming, treatment documentation, laboratory specimen collection and preparation, infection-control practices, and support for staff training. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, prepares treatments on unit machines, and assists with modality transitions and supply inventory. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, frequent standing and bending, and regular lifting and moving of patients and supplies. The work environment is a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Employees must take the Ishihara color-vision test; failing the test does not automatically 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 as a condition of continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification as a condition of continued employment.
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 that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; assistance devices or a second person are available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations in the community; 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.

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up, operate, and perform safety checks on hemodialysis machines, including required alarm testing and solution delivery system initiation.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and patient evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures; calculate and enter machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate treatment problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in the required treatment records and clinical application.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
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 nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits; follow and reinforce infection-control practices and education as directed.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm required nursing signatures, and ensure omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Support newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care with appropriate staff.
Reinforce education and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations as permitted by state law.
Prepare treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and follow organizational business policies, procedures, and ethical business practices.