Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Lenoir, NC

16d•Onsite

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities. The PCT assists with patient education and care before, during, and after dialysis. Duties include assessing vascular access, cannulating access and administering heparin when delegated or permitted by law, taking and documenting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to orders and procedures, monitoring patient responses, responding to treatment issues, and reporting changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also programs treatment parameters, completes treatment documentation, obtains laboratory specimens, performs machine safety checks, and maintains equipment and supplies. Additional responsibilities include supporting staff training under nurse supervision, following infection-control procedures, and participating in quality-improvement activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate care for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, helps coordinate modality transitions, and assists with supplies and inventory. The job involves work in a health care facility, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Patient care duties include frequent standing and bending, lifting and moving patients, and handling solutions and equipment. Employees must take an 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 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.
Be able to perform direct patient care involving frequent and prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Be able to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment may require up to 15 pounds of force.
Take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their well-being since their previous treatment.
Assess 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, including vascular access evaluations and initial identification.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and perform patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient responses and intradialytic issues, provide prescribed or directed interventions, document responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Complete accurate and timely treatment records, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, vital signs, treatment parameters, and interventions.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate corrections or signatures.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under appropriate direction.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with facility staff to coordinate services, and help patients understand home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate.
Assist with coordination of transitions to patients’ chosen modalities and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.