Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Mission, TX

14d•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 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 participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), patient satisfaction, and process improvement activities. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including checking patients’ wellbeing, assessing vascular access, obtaining weights and vital signs, initiating and monitoring treatments, responding to changes or problems, discontinuing treatments, documenting care, and reporting significant findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also prepares and processes laboratory specimens, maintains treatment and patient records, cleans and tests equipment, supports infection-control practices, and assists with staff training under a nurse’s supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate newly admitted patients’ first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps patients understand treatment and home dialysis options, coordinates visits with appropriate staff, supports transitions to a selected modality, and assists with supplies and inventory. The role involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. It includes frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and handling solutions and equipment. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test 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.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient lifting and ambulation, and handling solutions and equipment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assist with patient education about adequacy measures, disease processes, vascular access, infection control, and treatment options, as permitted by state law and under appropriate supervision.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights, vital signs, and patient evaluations, including initial identification.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses and vascular access during treatment, identify unusual findings or changes, provide interventions as directed, document responses, and report concerns to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, achieve hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
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 safe and clean facility areas.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork; prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce infection-control education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care.
Liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and support understanding of treatment options.
Assist with coordination of the patient’s transition to their chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.