Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Andrews, SC

5d•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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, documenting treatment and patient information, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients during treatment; checks vital signs, weight, and vascular access; initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures; responds to treatment issues as directed; and reports significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also involves specimen collection and preparation, infection-control practices, machine safety checks, equipment cleaning, and accurate clinical recordkeeping. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, and assists patients in understanding home dialysis options. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and physical activity including frequent standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Employees must take an 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 CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending; assist with ambulation and patient movement; and frequently lift or lower solutions up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance devices and a two-person assist program are available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test 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 with patient education about adequacy measures, the disease process, and vascular access as appropriate and within state law.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their prior treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including patient identification and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescriptions and established procedures.
Set and program dialysis machines for prescribed treatment parameters, including blood flow, dialysate flow, ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, monitor patient responses, and document interventions and outcomes.
Monitor patients and machine safety, including checking that required safety alarms are enabled and performing pretreatment alarm testing.
Evaluate and monitor vascular access during treatment, document findings and interventions, and report unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Document accurate and timely treatment information, complete treatment sheets and applicable progress notes, and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Report significant information and changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between patients according to facility policy; promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare, organize, and efficiently use supplies and equipment 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.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and follow organizational business policies, procedures, ethical practices, and infection-control procedures.
Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities; assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education and practices.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required nursing signatures and corrections are completed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education for new patients, including information about home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options; assist with peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations as appropriate.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure visits by disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Assist with transitions to patients’ selected modalities and with TCU supply ordering and inventory.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.