Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Sharpsburg, GA

11d•Onsite

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, assisting with patient care and education, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and complying with organizational policies and applicable regulations. The technician supports the Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation, administers heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, responds to treatment-related problems, and documents treatment parameters and patient responses. Responsibilities also include laboratory specimen collection and preparation, machine safety checks, infection-control practices, equipment and supply preparation, and support for patient transitions and education in the Transitional Care Unit. The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. Work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, staff, and physicians. The environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Physical work includes frequent, prolonged standing; bending; lifting and moving patients; assisting with ambulation; and handling dialysis solutions and equipment. 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 CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable 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; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
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 described, including prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and lifting solutions and equipment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire 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-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct required machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document patient responses.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and report unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, patient assessments, interventions, and other treatment information accurately and on time; ensure treatment sheets are complete and corrections are made by appropriate staff.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with 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, ethical business practices, and customer service standards.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Prepare initial patient charts, compile paperwork, prepare laboratory requisitions, and ensure laboratory specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education and practices for staff, patients, and families as directed and 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, liaise with relevant staff to coordinate the patient experience and scheduled disciplines, and support understanding of home dialysis products and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstrations such as peritoneal dialysis setup, and support transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.