Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Pell City, AL

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with a safe and clean working environment, and supporting quality-improvement and patient-satisfaction activities. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated or legally permitted medication administration, records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatment as prescribed, and responds to treatment-related concerns under nursing or physician direction. The role requires accurate documentation of treatment parameters and patient status, reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor, collecting prescribed laboratory specimens, and completing machine safety checks. The position also includes cleaning and disinfecting treatment areas and equipment, preparing supplies and machines, following infection-control practices, maintaining treatment and patient records, and supporting 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 treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with transition planning and supply inventory. Work includes computer and desk tasks, interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The health care facility environment may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing, and bending. The employee may occasionally push or pull equipment and must frequently lift solutions up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance devices and two-person assistance 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.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
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.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms, including Narrow Venous Limits, are enabled.
Monitor patient response to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to procedures, evaluate patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Complete and document pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, vital signs, weights, treatment parameters, and other required treatment information accurately and on time.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor; document interventions and patient responses.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and report or document unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, 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 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.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Enter treatment data into the designated clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness, signatures, and appropriate correction of omissions.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for filing; prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family infection-control education under direction as allowed by state law.
In 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 as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home-dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with coordinating transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.