Patient Care Technician - PCT Per Diem

Fresenius Medical Care•Montevallo, AL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician 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 setup and operation of hemodialysis machines, patient monitoring and care, and maintaining a safe and clean work environment in accordance with organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The technician supports Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities, including efforts related to patient satisfaction and process improvement. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patient response, recording vital signs and treatment data, responding to problems, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. It also involves laboratory specimen collection and preparation, infection-control activities, maintaining equipment and treatment areas, and supporting patient and staff education. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports patient understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with equipment and supply needs. The work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required, and travel to regional, business unit, or corporate meetings may be required. The healthcare work environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The role requires frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies, with assistance or material-handling devices available for heavier items. 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.
Be able to perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient assistance and movement, and lifting as described in the posting.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, during-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and evaluations, including initial identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders and calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Check that appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and conduct machine safety checks.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide and document interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatments according to established procedures, assess patients before ending vascular access, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Record accurate and timely treatment information and complete treatment sheets and applicable progress notes.
Report significant information or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare and organize supplies and equipment to avoid waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies and procedures, including ethical business practices, and maintain safe, clean, and orderly areas.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm tests, including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Complete and document participation in CQI activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required nursing signatures and corrections or omissions are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and participate in patient and family education under direction as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as allowed by state law and liaise with facility staff to coordinate services according to the patient’s plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
Assist with coordination of transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.