Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Batesburg-Leesville, SC

18d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, 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 PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supports Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, taking and documenting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patients and machine safety, responding to patient status changes, and collecting laboratory specimens. The PCT also completes clinical documentation, prepares and disinfects equipment and treatment areas, supports infection control, and assists with patient and staff education under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports understanding of home dialysis options, performs treatments on TCU machines, and assists with supplies and inventory. The role involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. It includes frequent standing, bending, and lifting, as well as moving and assisting patients. Employees 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.

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.
Take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care duties that regularly involve heavy lifting, moving patients, and assisting with ambulation; frequent prolonged standing and bending; occasional pushing or pulling with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for 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.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis and evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion; discontinue treatment according to established procedures; assess patients before termination of venous access and before discharge; obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Conduct machine safety checks and monitor vascular access pressures during treatment; report unusual findings and changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and store specimens according to laboratory requirements, and ensure collection by the appropriate courier.
Clean blood spills promptly and prepare, organize, 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.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omissions or corrections are completed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, reinforce adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies, and participate in patient and family infection control education under direction and as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and schedule disciplines according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with coordinating 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.