Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Fitchburg, WI

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 organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, and participates in process improvements aimed at achieving quality and patient satisfaction goals. The position provides patient-specific support before, during, and after dialysis treatment. Duties include assessing vascular access, cannulation, collecting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders, monitoring patients and equipment, addressing problems as directed, documenting care, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also handles laboratory specimens, maintains treatment records, follows infection control practices, and helps educate patients and families within the limits of state law. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, helps coordinate transitional care, reinforces education, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with transition to the patient’s chosen modality. The role may require travel between assigned facilities and community locations and involves regular direct patient care, including lifting and moving patients and supplies.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (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 and CPR certification to continue employment.
Be able to perform the position’s physical duties, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient ambulation, and lifting or moving patients and supplies.
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

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

Responsibilities

Support licensed nurses and other members of the dialysis health care team in providing safe, effective, patient-specific dialysis care.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and evaluations, including initial patient identification.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, including prescribed blood and dialysate flow rates.
Calculate and enter individual dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, observe patients, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document patient responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings, evaluate patients before discharge, and complete relevant treatment documentation.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure laboratory specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the Center Manager or designee as allowed by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the new patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and support TCU supply ordering and inventory.