Patient Care Technician- PCT- Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Wind Gap, PA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician 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 corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities aimed at improving patient satisfaction and outcomes. The role provides direct patient support throughout dialysis treatments, including preparing patients and equipment, taking and documenting vital signs and weights, assessing vascular access, initiating and monitoring treatment, responding to patient or machine concerns, and discontinuing treatment. The technician documents treatment information, reports changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor, collects laboratory specimens, and follows infection-control procedures. In transitional care units, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with relevant staff, assists patients in understanding treatment options and home dialysis, and helps coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities. Training is provided, and continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.

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; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent 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 direct patient care involving frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force. Assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

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, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Assist with patient education regarding adequacy measures, disease processes, vascular access, infection control, and treatment options as permitted by state law.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including initial patient identification and post-treatment standing and sitting blood pressure as applicable.
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.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, observe patients, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess the patient before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, assessments, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and the clinical application.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant 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 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 machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness, nursing signatures, and correction of omitted entries by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education as directed.
In the transitional care unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the plan of care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and support understanding of treatment options and transition to the selected modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.