Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Westlake, OH

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organizational 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 the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), patient satisfaction, and process improvement activities. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient assessment, vascular access evaluation and cannulation, treatment setup and monitoring, documentation, and response to changes in patient condition. The PCT also performs laboratory specimen preparation, infection-control activities, machine and area cleaning, and related records work. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and helps coordinate education and transitions to a chosen dialysis modality. The work involves desk and computer tasks, interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The environment is a temperature-controlled health care facility with moderate noise and possible exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct care includes frequent standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation. The role may require lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, and lifting items as high as five feet; assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items.

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.
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.
Pass 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 described physical duties, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and assisting with ambulation; reasonable accommodations may be made.

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.
Provide patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures and disease or access matters as appropriate and within applicable law.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, cannulate access, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intradialytic, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including initial identification and required standing and sitting blood pressure measurements.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Check that required safety alarms, including Narrow Venous Limits, are enabled and conduct machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and document treatment completion.
Complete accurate and timely treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, clinical application entries, and other patient treatment documentation.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection-control policies and procedures.
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 organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education as directed.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures and omitted or corrected entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for filing, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional care.
Reinforce new-patient education and care matters as allowed by state law, and coordinate with appropriate staff so disciplines see patients according to their plans.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with modality transitions.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.