Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Fairfield, OH

12d

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 follows organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including process improvements related to patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient assessment, vascular access care, treatment setup and monitoring, documentation, specimen collection, and reporting changes in patient condition. It also supports infection-control practices, staff training, and—when assigned to a Transitional Care Unit—new patients’ first four weeks of dialysis, education about treatment and home options, and coordination of transitions to the patient’s chosen modality. The work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The setting is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The role involves frequent, prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and assistance with ambulation. It may also involve pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, as high as five feet. Two-person assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test 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 applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
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.
Ability to perform the stated physical duties, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.
Take 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

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intradialytic, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required patient identification and evaluations.
Initiate dialysis as prescribed, including blood and dialysate flow settings, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patient response and machine safety, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide or document interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess the patient before discharge and termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Enable required safety alarms, including Narrow Venous Limits, and perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly; report significant information or changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, and store specimens according to laboratory requirements; prepare requisitions and ensure courier collection.
Clean blood spills and disinfect the dialysis machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area according to facility policy.
Prepare and efficiently use treatment supplies and equipment, and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
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 and clean environment.
Complete and document participation in CQI activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures and omitted or corrected entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and organize admission paperwork.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control adherence and education as permitted by state law, and follow infection-control policies and procedures.
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 multidisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and modality choices, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatment on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, help coordinate transitions to the chosen modality, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.