Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Thomasville, AL

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, helping maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvement goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatment according to prescribed orders, and responds to patient or machine issues as directed. The role documents treatment parameters and patient responses, reports significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor, obtains and prepares laboratory specimens, and monitors patients performing self-care under RN supervision. The PCT also prepares and disinfects treatment areas and equipment, performs required machine safety and alarm checks, maintains supplies, supports infection-control practices and audits, and completes clinical records and CQI documentation. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates with staff to support the patient experience and modality transition, demonstrates treatment-related equipment and options, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. This role requires a high school diploma or GED, applicable state licensure and training where required, and completion of CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the applicable timeline. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification. Prior patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and physical activity including frequent standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients or supplies. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
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 involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients; ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; and ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and prepare treatment areas, supplies, and equipment.
Welcome patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, during-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, vascular access assessments, and treatment information.
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, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient response to treatment, assess and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete treatment records and enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted or incorrect entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts, compile paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Participate in CQI activities and assist with infection-control audits; reinforce infection-control practices and 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.
Reinforce education for new patients, liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, treatment options, and modality choices.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstrations of peritoneal dialysis setup, and support transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.