Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Zebulon, NC

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of the Inpatient Services Hemodialysis Health Care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy to assigned patients in the acute setting. Work is performed under the direct supervision of a Hemodialysis Registered Nurse and in accordance with company policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The position supports patient care before, during, and after dialysis treatment, including equipment preparation and safety checks, patient monitoring, documentation, specimen handling, and assistance with treatment procedures. The technician reports patient complaints, unusual observations, treatment difficulties, and other concerns to the supervising RN. The role also contributes to a safe and clean work environment and participates in quality and process-improvement activities. The work involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians; personal computer work while standing or sitting; and travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. The healthcare-facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting, moving patients, and assisting with ambulation. The role requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending, and may occasionally involve moving equipment weighing up to 200 pounds or lifting chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds to a height of five feet. Equipment aids, coworkers, and a two-person assist program are available for heavier items. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Must meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

At least six months of experience in a related field, such as EMT, surgical technician, Army, phlebotomy, or technician work; experience is preferred, not required.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care to assigned patients in the acute dialysis setting under the direct supervision of the Hemodialysis Registered Nurse.
Report and document new or unusual incidents, information, complaints, problems, and patient observations to the RN.
Promote and assist in maintaining a safe and clean working environment, and support quality enhancement, quality assessment, performance improvement, and patient-satisfaction activities.
When competency and proficiency are documented, set up and prime equipment for renal replacement therapies as directed by the Fresenius Nurse.
Set up and test dialysis machines and confirm they are safe for treatment in accordance with manufacturer instructions and company policies and procedures.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their well-being since their last treatment; report complaints or observations to the RN.
Obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and report unusual findings to the RN.
Report cannulation difficulties, as permitted by state requirements, and unusual findings to the RN.
Accurately document patient treatment information in the individual patient record, including the hospital Electronic Medical System (EMS) and Acute Care Electronic System (ACES).
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, sodium modeling, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including narrow venous limits (NVL 160).
Collect and label specimens and ensure their timely delivery to the laboratory in accordance with facility policy.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed by physician order or directed by the RN; monitor patient response and report unusual findings.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform functions required to discontinue treatment, including documentation.
Before termination of venous access, evaluate the patient and obtain standing and sitting blood pressures; obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate the patient before discharge and report unusual findings to the RN.
Review and comply with the Code of Business Conduct, company policies and procedures, and applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Assist with projects assigned by the direct supervisor or supervising RN, and perform other duties as assigned.