Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Merrillville, IN

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team, providing 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 environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including efforts to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and monitoring treatment, responding to patient or machine concerns, documenting treatment information, and preparing laboratory specimens. It also includes infection-control responsibilities and, in the Transitional Care Unit, helping new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and supporting education and care coordination concerning treatment options and transitions. The work involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians; desk and computer work; and travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. The health care environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation, along with frequent prolonged standing and bending. The technician may occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are 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 will be considered.

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.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to perform the described physical functions, with reasonable accommodation where applicable, including patient handling, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment.

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.
Provide or reinforce patient-specific education, as appropriate and permitted by state law, about adequacy measures, the disease process, vascular access, infection control, treatment options, and home dialysis.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including patient identification and relevant evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document patient responses.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess the patient before termination of venous access and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as needed and report unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Report significant information and changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and maintain a safe, clean, and orderly work area.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork; prepare or print laboratory requisitions as needed.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce related education under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Coordinate 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 and transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with unit supply ordering and inventory.