Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Warsaw, IN

13d•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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with patient care and education, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting quality improvement activities. No dialysis experience is required; paid on-the-job training is provided. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout treatment, assesses vascular access, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and documents treatment information accurately. The technician reports changes in patient condition and unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor, collects laboratory specimens, follows infection-control practices, and assists with supplies and equipment. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports patient understanding of home dialysis, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with inventory and supply ordering. The role involves direct patient care, regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and travel between assigned facilities and other locations. The work environment is a health care facility, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
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 direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate patients before and after treatment.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform prescribed interventions, and report changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange for courier pickup of specimens.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between treatments.
Maintain a safe and clean work environment and follow infection-control policies and procedures.
Assist with patient-specific education and reinforce infection-control education under appropriate supervision and as allowed by state law.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
Complete and participate in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities and enter treatment data into designated clinical applications.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures are documented, and arrange for omitted entries to be completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and related paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Help coordinate visits with appropriate staff, reinforce education for new patients, support understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assist with transitions 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.
Travel between assigned facilities and other locations as required.