Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Midland, TX

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 regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and other process-improvement activities intended to support quality goals and patient satisfaction. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including patient preparation, vascular access evaluation and cannulation, treatment initiation and discontinuation, monitoring, documentation, and response to changes in patient condition. The technician also performs machine safety checks, handles laboratory specimens, maintains equipment and the treatment area, and supports infection-control practices. Under nurse supervision, the technician may assist with patient and staff education. In a Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports patients in understanding home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with equipment setup and supply inventory. The work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may also be required. The setting is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The job involves regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, assistance with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing and bending, occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, and frequently lifting or lowering solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will 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.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including patient lifting and movement, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or lowering supplies as described.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and report significant information or changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion; discontinue treatment according to established procedures; evaluate patients before termination and discharge; obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other treatment information accurately and promptly.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies and procedures, including ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, document preparation as appropriate, perform required pretreatment 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, ensure nursing signatures are documented, and have omitted entries completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare and print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the Center Manager 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 information for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduling of disciplines according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, and support supply ordering and inventory.