Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Lubbock, TX

4d•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 position follows organizational 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 working environment, and participates in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) goals. The PCT supports patients before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include assessing vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to orders and procedures, monitoring patients and equipment, documenting treatment information, responding to changes in patient condition, and collecting and preparing laboratory specimens. The position also supports infection control, staff training, and, in the Transitional Care Unit, new patients’ first four weeks of dialysis and their transition to a chosen treatment modality. The work includes desk and computer tasks as well as direct patient care in a health care facility. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may also be required. The role may involve exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials and requires frequent standing, bending, and patient handling. 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.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including frequent, prolonged standing and bending; heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Equipment, coworkers, and material-assist devices may provide assistance.
Take 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.

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members in providing 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 as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations, including initial identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings; program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed.
Monitor patients’ response to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide or document interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform treatment reinfusion and discontinuation procedures, assess the patient before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, conduct machine safety checks, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, patient status, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly on treatment sheets and in designated clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with 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 policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe and clean areas.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted or incorrect entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure lab specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family 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 matters for new patients as permitted by state law, coordinate with relevant staff, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; 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.