Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Grand Bay, AL

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, supports a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities intended to improve patient satisfaction and help patients meet organizational quality goals. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assists with education, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, and monitors patient responses. The role obtains and records vital signs, weights, treatment parameters, and laboratory specimens; documents care accurately; reports changes in patient condition; and follows facility safety and infection-control procedures. The position also includes preparing equipment and treatment areas, maintaining records, and assisting with staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, supports understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, prepares treatments on unit machines, and assists with modality transitions, supply ordering, and inventory. The work includes computer and desk tasks, direct interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. The healthcare-facility environment may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care involves frequent prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation. The employee may need to push or pull equipment and lift solutions and other items, with assistance and material-handling devices available for heavier items.

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.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program as a condition of continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification as a condition of continued employment.
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 direct patient care involving frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their prior treatment.
Provide or reinforce patient-specific education concerning adequacy measures, disease processes, vascular access, treatment options, and home dialysis, as permitted by state law and under appropriate supervision.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, perform vascular-access evaluations, and complete patient evaluations before and after treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide and document interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Record accurate and timely treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and patient responses in the required treatment sheets and clinical applications.
Report significant information, patient-condition changes, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain environmental safety and cleanliness and follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and support patient and family infection-control education under direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, and assist patients with understanding treatment options.
Assist with coordination of transitions to patients’ chosen modalities and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.