Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Muskogee, OK

4d•Onsite

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities in accordance with organizational policies, applicable regulations, and training. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout treatment, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted, records vital signs and treatment information, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders, and responds to treatment issues as directed. The role also includes laboratory specimen collection and preparation, infection-control activities, machine and equipment preparation and cleaning, accurate clinical documentation, and assistance with training and patient education. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment options and home dialysis, and assists with equipment and supply needs. The work takes place in a health care facility and includes desk and computer work, interaction with patients and clinical staff, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings. Employees may be exposed to infectious materials and are expected to perform direct patient care involving frequent standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. The role requires passing an Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failure 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.
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 the physical demands of the position, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and moving, and lifting solutions and supplies up to the stated weights.
Pass the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up, operate, and perform safety checks on hemodialysis machines, including required alarm testing and solution delivery system initiation.
Welcome patients, ask about their wellbeing, monitor their response to treatment, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law, monitor access pressures, and obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights; initiate and discontinue treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document interventions and patient responses.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, clinical application entries, and correction or completion of omitted entries through appropriate staff.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of laboratory specimens.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; immediately clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Maintain a safe and clean work environment 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 under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits; follow infection-control policies and reinforce practices and education as directed.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, review treatment sheets for completeness, and prepare laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforce education, coordinate care with staff, and help patients understand dialysis products, home dialysis, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality, supply ordering, and inventory.
Comply with organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, culture, values, and customer service standards.