Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Post Falls, ID

13d•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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal requirements. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational Quality Enhancement Program goals. The position provides direct patient care before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include welcoming patients, assessing their wellbeing and vascular access, obtaining and documenting weights and vital signs, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders and procedures, monitoring patient responses, addressing problems as directed, and reporting changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also programs dialysis machines as prescribed, checks safety alarms, obtains and prepares laboratory specimens, and completes treatment documentation. Additional responsibilities include preparing and disinfecting treatment areas and equipment, supporting infection-control practices, assisting with staff training under nurse supervision, and contributing to Continuous Quality Improvement activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate care and education for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, supports understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, and assists with supplies and inventory. The work involves interaction with patients and clinical staff in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings. The role may involve exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Work includes frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment within the stated weight limits. Reasonable accommodations may be considered for individuals with disabilities.

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.
Demonstrate 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.
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 tasks involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment as described.

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 previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including pre-treatment access evaluation and initial patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed patient machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms, including Narrow Venous Limits, are enabled; observe patients and conduct machine safety checks.
Monitor patients' responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and intervene as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess patients before ending venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and document treatment evaluations, vital signs, weights, parameters, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly.
Report significant information, changes in condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, provide appropriate interventions, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and facility procedures.
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 safe, clean, and orderly 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; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education as directed and permitted by state law.
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 care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with coordination of transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with TCU supply ordering and inventory.