Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Alexandria, LA

14d

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, following organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines and helping maintain a safe, clean care environment. The PCT supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including initiatives related to patient satisfaction and process improvement. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment. Duties include welcoming patients; assessing their wellbeing and vascular access; obtaining and recording weights and vital signs; initiating, monitoring, and discontinuing treatment according to orders and procedures; responding to intradialytic problems; documenting care and treatment parameters; collecting and preparing laboratory specimens; and reporting significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also maintains equipment and treatment areas, follows infection-control practices, and may assist with training applicable direct-care staff under a nurse’s supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports patients in understanding treatment options and home dialysis, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with supply inventory. The role involves desk and computer work, interaction with patients and clinical staff, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to meetings. The work takes place in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials may occur. Direct care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving solutions and equipment. Accommodations may be considered for qualified individuals with disabilities. Employees must take the Ishihara color-vision test 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 to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
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 the described physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; assisting with patient lifting, movement, and ambulation; and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, with assistance or material-assist devices available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and as allowed 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- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and assess vascular access before treatment.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis-machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient responses and machine safety, respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform and document treatment evaluations, interventions, vascular-access monitoring, hemostasis, dressings, and discharge assessments.
Record accurate and timely treatment data, vital signs, parameters, and other required documentation in treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and designated clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens; prepare laboratory requisitions.
Clean blood spills promptly and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently, help prevent waste, and maintain a safe and clean environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Complete and document participation in CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for placement in the chart.
Collect information for infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow relevant policies, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
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 care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.