Patient Care Technician - PCT - CCHT

Fresenius Medical Care

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean working environment, and participates in quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. The technician assists with patient education and dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, cannulation, delegated heparin administration where permitted, obtaining and documenting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patient responses, addressing treatment issues as directed, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also performs machine safety checks, maintains accurate treatment records, prepares and cleans equipment and treatment areas, and supports infection control and continuous quality improvement activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment and home dialysis options, supports transitions to a chosen modality, and assists with equipment and supply inventory. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and physical activity including prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Employees must take an Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must meet 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.
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.
Able to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending; heavy lifting and moving of patients; and frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance or material-assist devices are available for heavier items.
May be required to push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed or directed; monitor patient responses to therapy.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to procedure, evaluate patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, patient evaluations, interventions, and other treatment information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information, changes in condition, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform machine safety checks and monitor patients, including patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens.
Clean blood spills promptly and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into the clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, follow infection-control policies and procedures, support staff and patient adherence, and reinforce patient and family education under direction as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled 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 TCU supply ordering and inventory.