Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Del Rio, TX

11d

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, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities, including initiatives related to patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment. Duties include greeting and assessing patients, evaluating and cannulating vascular access, obtaining pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, monitoring patient responses, intervening as directed, documenting care, and reporting significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also performs machine safety checks, prepares and collects laboratory specimens, maintains supplies and equipment, and follows infection-control procedures. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, assists with transitions to a chosen modality, and supports unit supply ordering and 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, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The health care environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and lifting solutions and equipment. The employee may occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower solutions weighing 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. An Ishihara color blindness test is required as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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 continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Ability to perform the described physical duties, including frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment.
Pass the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education on dialysis adequacy measures and disease process or access, as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations, and identify patients appropriately.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and conduct machine safety checks.
Monitor patients and their response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion; discontinue treatment according to established procedures; evaluate patients before termination and discharge; obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly, including required treatment sheets and progress notes.
Report significant changes in patient condition and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, store them according to laboratory specifications, and ensure collection by the appropriate courier.
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 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 environmental safety and cleanliness; clean and disinfect the dialysis machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and promptly.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
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 direction as allowed 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 allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled interdisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and how home dialysis may work for them.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit; assist with understanding treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordinating the transition to the patient's chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.