Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Athens, TX

14d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as 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 organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including efforts related to patient satisfaction and process improvement. The PCT welcomes patients, monitors their condition and response to dialysis, and performs treatment-related tasks such as evaluating and cannulating vascular access, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing dialysis as prescribed, responding to treatment issues, and documenting care. The role also includes machine safety checks, laboratory specimen collection and preparation, infection-control practices, cleaning and disinfection, and maintaining accurate treatment records. Under nurse supervision, the technician may assist with training applicable direct patient care staff and monitor patients performing self-care. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with treatment setup, supply ordering, inventory, and transition to the patient’s chosen modality. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and work in a health care facility where exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials may occur. Work includes computer and desk tasks, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 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.
Demonstrate 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 position’s physical functions, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and lowering solutions, moving or assisting patients, and occasional pushing or pulling equipment; assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.
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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education on adequacy measures and dialysis-related topics under appropriate direction.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis and evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, assess patients before treatment termination and discharge, and obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly, including treatment sheets and applicable progress notes.
Report significant patient information, changes in condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens, including preparation of lab requisitions.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection-control policies and procedures.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain safe and clean work areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document CQI activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and promptly.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, nursing signatures, and correction or completion of omitted entries by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for placement in the chart.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education for patients and families as permitted by state law and under appropriate direction.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate staff involvement according to the care plan, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations, and support transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.