Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Balch Springs, TX

8d•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 technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities aimed at improving patient satisfaction and outcomes. The PCT supports patients before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include checking vascular access, cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted, recording vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders, monitoring patient responses, addressing intradialytic issues as directed, and documenting treatment information. The technician also conducts equipment and safety checks, collects and prepares laboratory specimens, maintains infection-control practices, and assists with patient education and staff training under appropriate supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with supplies and inventory. The role involves work in a health care facility, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. It includes direct patient care, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and frequent lifting and moving of patients or supplies. The employee must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically 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 functions described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient assistance and movement, and lifting or lowering supplies and solutions.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their prior treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency before treatment, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including the required patient identification and evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis and evaluate and address intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, evaluate patients before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and report significant information, changes in condition, unusual findings, or access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and record patients’ responses to interventions.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and, when applicable, progress notes; review sheets for completeness and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste; maintain a safe and clean environment.
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, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices, and participate in CQI activities.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile admission paperwork; prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under appropriate direction and as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, 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.