Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Paducah, KY

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the 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, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician contributes to patient satisfaction and process improvements intended to help patients meet quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks where permitted, obtains vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and monitors patients’ responses. The role includes programming dialysis treatments, checking machine safety, addressing and reporting patient or treatment concerns, documenting care, collecting laboratory specimens, and preparing equipment and supplies. The technician also supports patient education, infection-control practices, staff training, and transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients, including education about home dialysis and treatment options. The work involves desk and computer tasks as well as direct patient care in a health care facility. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The employee may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. Frequent, prolonged standing and bending are required; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment may involve up to 15 pounds of force. The employee frequently lifts and lowers solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lifts up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items. Employees 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.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must have any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Must successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to remain employed.
Must successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the stated physical demands, including patient lifting and movement, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting solutions as described.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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 perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter individual dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and prescribed UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient observation and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Recognize and report significant changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and treatment concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and record patients’ responses.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, vital signs, treatment parameters, and applicable progress notes.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between treatments.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment and follow organization policies, procedures, ethical business practices, and infection-control requirements.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and review treatment sheets and charts for completeness.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education and practices for staff, patients, and families as permitted by state law.
For the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with facility staff to coordinate services, and help patients understand home dialysis products and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with coordination of the patient’s chosen modality transition.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.