Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Missoula, MT

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, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities, including efforts to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The PCT supports patients throughout dialysis treatment by conducting pre- and post-treatment assessments, monitoring patient condition and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, responding to problems as directed, documenting care, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also prepares and handles laboratory specimens, maintains equipment and supplies, follows infection-control practices, and contributes to staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, coordinates aspects of their transitional care, reinforces education, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with modality transitions, supplies, and inventory. The role involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. Work includes computer and desk tasks, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and direct patient care involving frequent standing and bending, patient movement and ambulation assistance, and lifting or moving supplies and equipment. Exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials may occur. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet 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 to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Pass the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to perform the physical functions described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient lifting and ambulation, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally to a height of five feet; assistance or material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

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 last treatment.
Provide patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and within applicable state law.
Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform vascular access evaluations, and complete patient evaluations before and after treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document patient responses.
Perform required functions to discontinue treatment, obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, and evaluate the patient before discharge.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Record accurate and timely treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, and other required information on treatment sheets and in clinical applications; complete progress notes when applicable.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as appropriate and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier pickup of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe and clean areas and support environmental integrity.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Tests, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required nursing signatures and corrections are obtained from 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, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee 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 appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home-dialysis products and benefits, explain treatment options, and demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, and help coordinate TCU supply ordering and inventory.