Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Lebanon, IN

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. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean working environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and clinical goals. Training is offered. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted, initiates and discontinues prescribed dialysis treatments, monitors treatment response, and documents patient assessments and treatment parameters. The position also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and supplies, supporting infection-control practices, and assisting with staff and patient education. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and transition to the patient's chosen modality, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. The work involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, 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.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Ability to perform the essential physical functions of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient ambulation, and lifting and moving patients and supplies as described in the posting.
Complete the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members in providing patient-specific education about adequacy measures, the disease process, and vascular access.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Monitor patients' responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and intervene as prescribed or directed.
Perform and document patient evaluations before, during, and after treatment, including relevant standing and sitting blood pressure readings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment parameters, patient status, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly; report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate and monitor vascular access during treatment, document findings, and report unusual results.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and follow facility policy.
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.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted or corrected entries.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce infection-control education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.