Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Sharpsburg, GA

12d•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 position follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable 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 to support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT supports patient education and care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patient response, recording treatment information, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a nurse or supervisor. The role also includes preparing equipment and supplies, collecting and handling laboratory specimens, maintaining treatment records, supporting infection control, and assisting with staff training under nurse supervision. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, assists with transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. Work includes computer and desk tasks and interaction with patients, staff, and physicians. Employees may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. The role requires frequent standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment within the stated limits. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment, though failing it does not preclude employment and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to perform direct patient care tasks that involve frequent, prolonged standing and bending; assisting with patient lifting, movement, and ambulation; and lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, as high as five feet. Assistance or material-assist devices are available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate vascular access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform vascular access assessments, and complete treatment evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, assess intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and document patient responses.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, establish hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly in the applicable records and clinical systems.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and maintain a safe, clean, and orderly work area.
Prepare 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.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness, signatures, and correction of omissions by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for placement in charts; prepare and print laboratory requisitions as needed.
Assist with infection control audits, reinforce infection control practices, and participate in patient and family infection control education under direction of the CM or designee, as allowed 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 information for new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
Assist with coordinating the transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with TCU supply ordering and inventory.