Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Oxford, MS

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, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration as permitted, obtains pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment issues as directed. The technician monitors patient status and machine safety, documents treatment information accurately, reports changes or unusual findings to a nurse or supervisor, collects laboratory specimens, and maintains equipment and supplies. The role also supports patient education, staff training, infection control, and Continuous Quality Improvement activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate newly admitted patients’ first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, assists with modality transitions, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The work includes computer and desk tasks, interaction with patients and clinical staff, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to meetings. The environment is that of a health care facility, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and occasional pushing or pulling equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or G.E.D.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated 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 essential physical functions, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as 5 feet.
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 with patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient response to treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess patients before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and complete and document pre- and post-dialysis assessments.
Accurately and promptly document vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, patient responses, and other treatment information in required records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant and maintain infection control practices.
Prepare, organize, and efficiently use supplies and equipment 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.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect the dialysis machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, complete required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, initiate the Solution Delivery System, and document as appropriate.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for filing.
Prepare or print laboratory requisitions and ensure laboratory specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection control audits and reinforce infection control practices and education for patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
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 as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, explain treatment options, and assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.