Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Edmond, OK

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 working environment, and participates in quality improvement activities supporting patient satisfaction and the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) efforts. The PCT provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment. Duties include welcoming patients, assessing wellbeing and vascular access, obtaining and recording weights and vital signs, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to orders and procedures, monitoring patient response and machine safety, responding to treatment issues as directed, documenting care, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes specimen collection and preparation, infection-control practices, equipment and area cleaning, and preparation of treatment supplies and equipment. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and the patient’s transition to a chosen treatment modality, and assists with equipment setup and supply inventory. The position involves working with patients, facility staff, physicians, and other care team members, and may require travel between assigned facilities and community locations.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Ability to perform direct patient care duties involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending; heavy lifting and moving of patients; assistance with ambulation; and frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force.
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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist the health care team with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights, vital signs, and vascular access evaluations, including patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Monitor patients and machine safety during treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Complete treatment discontinuation procedures, obtain required vital signs, assess the patient before discharge, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, assessments, interventions, patient responses, progress notes when applicable, and other required information accurately and promptly.
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 courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection-control policies and practices.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently; clean and disinfect the dialysis machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, conduct required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Complete and document participation in CQI activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and promptly.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and signatures, and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under the direction of the Center Manager or designee, as allowed 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 matters for new patients, help ensure care disciplines are scheduled according to the plan, and support patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstrations such as peritoneal dialysis setup, and help coordinate transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices, and maintain a safe and clean environment.