Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•McMinnville, OR

23d•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 follows organization 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 participates in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment; checks vascular access, takes and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and documents treatment information. The role includes responding to patient or equipment concerns, reporting changes to a registered nurse or supervisor, collecting laboratory specimens, and maintaining equipment and treatment areas in accordance with facility and infection-control policies. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education within the scope allowed by state law, helps coordinate care and transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, and assists with supplies and inventory. The position involves work in a health care facility, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Work may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline and successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification to continue employment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment depends 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 meet the physical demands of the position, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, patient assistance and movement, and lifting and lowering supplies as described.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient responses, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform interventions as directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly, including completing treatment sheets and applicable progress notes.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and store specimens according to laboratory requirements, and ensure collection by the appropriate courier.
Perform machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing, initiate the Solution Delivery System, and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and maintain a safe, clean, and orderly work environment.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits; reinforce infection-control practices and education under appropriate direction.
Enter treatment data into the designated clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness, signatures, and corrections by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education for new patients, help ensure care disciplines are scheduled according to the plan, and support patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, 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.