Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Henderson, NV

13d

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. The role follows organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including patient assessment, vascular access evaluation and cannulation, treatment initiation and discontinuation, monitoring, documentation, and response to changes in patient condition. It also includes preparing and handling laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and treatment areas, supporting infection-control practices, and assisting with staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment and home dialysis options, supports modality transitions, and assists with supply inventory and ordering.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated 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.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment.

Nice To Haves

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

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.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required initial identification and pre-treatment access evaluation.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed; document interventions and patient responses.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to procedures, evaluate the patient before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate the patient before discharge.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as needed and report and document unusual findings.
Record accurate and timely vital signs, treatment parameters, and other patient treatment information on treatment sheets and in designated clinical applications; complete progress notes when applicable.
Report significant information and changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly with 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 organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain safe and clean work areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, complete required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts for admission, compile paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and support patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted 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 matters for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary visits.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and feasibility; explain treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality, and support TCU supply ordering and inventory.