Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•York, SC

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 involves setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors patient responses, and responds to treatment issues as directed. The technician programs dialysis machines according to prescriptions, conducts safety checks, documents treatment information, reports changes in patient condition, and collects and prepares laboratory specimens. Additional duties include cleaning and disinfecting equipment and treatment areas, preparing supplies, maintaining accurate clinical records, supporting infection-control practices, and assisting with staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate new patients’ first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with transition planning and supply inventory. The position involves desk and computer work as well as direct patient care in a health care facility. It requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and may include travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The role may involve exposure to infectious materials, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing it does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

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.
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 the physical functions of the role, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, patient assistance and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions and supplies as described.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education support regarding dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required patient identification and vascular-access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms, including Narrow Venous Limits, are enabled.
Monitor patients and their responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatments according to procedures, assess patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in required records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Conduct patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of laboratory specimens.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient-care staff on approved programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain safe and clean environmental conditions; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, conduct and document required machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, follow policies and procedures, and support 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 care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with staff to support the patient experience and scheduled services.
Help patients understand home-dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
Assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.