Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Fredericksburg, VA

2d•$17 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

Functions as part of the 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 and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean working environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician supports patients throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, taking and recording vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment as prescribed, monitoring patient responses, responding to treatment issues, and documenting care. The position also involves laboratory specimen collection and preparation, infection-control practices, maintaining equipment and supplies, and assisting with patient education and staff training under appropriate supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports understanding of treatment options, and assists with equipment setup and supply inventory. The role involves work in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, direct patient care, and physical activity including standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies.

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.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s 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.
Pass 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 direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies; accommodations may be made where appropriate.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assist with patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and within applicable state law.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and perform machine safety checks.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide prescribed or directed interventions; document the interventions and patient responses.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess patients before termination of venous access and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Record accurate and timely treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, and other required information on treatment sheets and in clinical applications; complete applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document, report, or address unusual findings as appropriate.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and follow facility policy.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices included in training.
Maintain safe, clean, and aesthetically appropriate work areas; 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 Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce related patient and family education as directed and 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 as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate care and scheduled visits by disciplines.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and the peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with 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.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.