Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Richmond, KY

10d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with patient care, and maintaining a safe and clean work environment in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The PCT supports quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities and participates in process improvements intended to help patients achieve organizational Quality Enhancement Program goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment, performs assigned vascular access and treatment tasks, records clinical data, responds to changes in patient condition, and communicates significant findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also involves preparing equipment and supplies, collecting laboratory specimens, maintaining treatment and patient records, and supporting infection control practices. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education within the scope allowed by state law, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment options and home dialysis, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. Work involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and a health care facility environment with potential exposure to infectious materials.

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 organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Pass the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance devices or coworkers may be available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

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; cannulate access and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and intervene as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures; obtain relevant vital signs, achieve hemostasis, apply dressings, and assess the patient before discharge.
Record treatment parameters and patient information accurately and promptly, including treatment sheets and applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Conduct patient observation and machine safety checks, ensure required safety alarms are enabled, and document interventions and patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and store specimens according to laboratory specifications, and ensure their collection by the appropriate courier.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
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 ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Enter treatment data into the designated clinical application; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing entries or signatures are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare lab requisitions, and collect, label, prepare, store, and route laboratory specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies, and reinforce infection control education under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients within the scope allowed by state law, and liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup, and 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.