Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Indianapolis, IN

8d•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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean treatment environment, documenting patient care, and participating in quality improvement activities. The PCT follows organizational policies, training, and applicable state and federal regulations, and supports patient satisfaction and the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including preparing patients and equipment, monitoring patients and vascular access, documenting treatment parameters, responding to changes in patient condition, and escalating concerns to a registered nurse or supervisor. It also includes infection-control practices, specimen collection and handling, recordkeeping, and assistance with staff and patient education. In transitional care units, the PCT helps coordinate the care and education of newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, including education about treatment options and home dialysis. The work takes place in a health care facility and involves interaction with patients, staff, and physicians. Day-to-day work includes desk and computer work as well as direct patient care. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may also be required. The position may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Physical demands include frequent, prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation. Employees may occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. An Ishihara color blindness test is required as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically 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.
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.
Pass the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to perform the described physical duties, including frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures and disease process or access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre- and post-treatment patient evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess patients before termination of venous access and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, assessments, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in the designated records and clinical application.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and observe patients while conducting machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare requisitions, collect and label specimens, store them according to laboratory requirements, and ensure courier collection.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis equipment, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on missing or incorrect entries through appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for appropriate placement in the chart.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and participate in patient and family infection-control education as directed and permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, 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 support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines meet with the patient according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions 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.