Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Killeen, TX

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions 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, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvements. The technician assists with patient education, prepares patients for treatment, monitors patients and dialysis equipment during treatment, responds to problems as directed, and completes treatment documentation. The role also includes specimen collection and preparation, infection-control activities, staff training assistance, and ongoing cleaning and preparation of machines and treatment areas. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, and assists with modality transitions, equipment use, and supply inventory. The position involves desk and computer work as well as direct patient care in a health care facility. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The work environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The employee must frequently stand for prolonged periods and bend over, may occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, and frequently lift or lower solutions up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance devices or coworkers are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically 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 have all applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the described physical duties, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community.

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 adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and patient evaluations, including initial identification.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures; perform necessary reinfusion and venous-access termination functions.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient responses and vascular access during treatment, evaluate problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Complete accurate and timely treatment records, including the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet, applicable progress notes, and data in the designated clinical application.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection 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 organization policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and infection-control policies; support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices.
Maintain safe and clean areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, conduct required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omitted entries are completed or 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 audit information collection and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families 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 information for new patients, as allowed by state law, and liaise with FKC staff to support the patient experience and scheduling according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit; assist with coordination of the transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.