Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Kings Mills, OH

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean care environment, and following organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The technician contributes to Quality Enhancement Program and Continuous Quality Improvement activities, including initiatives intended to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, checks vascular access, obtains pre- and post-treatment measurements, initiates and discontinues treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and monitors patients' responses. The role includes documenting treatment parameters and interventions, reporting changes in patient condition, collecting laboratory specimens, and assisting with patient-specific education under applicable supervision and state law. Additional duties include maintaining and disinfecting equipment and treatment areas, performing machine safety checks, supporting infection-control practices, and assisting with the training of applicable direct-care staff. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports 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, and assists with supplies and inventory. The position involves desk and computer work, interaction with patients and clinical staff, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The work takes place in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and occasional pushing or pulling equipment.

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.
Take 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 the physical demands of the position, including patient lifting and movement, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and handling specified loads, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy as part of the health care team under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines, conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing, initiate the Solution Delivery System, and perform machine safety checks.
Welcome assigned patients, assess their wellbeing, evaluate vascular access, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients during treatment, assess their response, identify intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access and monitor arterial and venous pressures during treatment; intervene as needed and document and report unusual findings.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, and patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Support infection-control audits, practices, and patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee and as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education for new patients, liaise with facility staff to coordinate care and appointments, and help patients understand home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstrations of peritoneal dialysis setup, and help coordinate transitions to patients' selected modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices while maintaining a safe and clean environment.