Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Bowling Green, VA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The technician supports patients throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders, monitoring patients and equipment, documenting treatment information, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also supports patient education, infection control, laboratory specimen handling, staff training, and accurate clinical recordkeeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment and home dialysis options, and assists with treatment setup, modality transitions, and supply inventory. The position involves direct patient care, frequent standing and bending, and regular lifting and moving of patients and supplies. Travel between assigned facilities and other locations in the community is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must meet 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 direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet.
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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter individual dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, intervene as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to required specifications.
Prepare supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage, and clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant according to facility policy.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis equipment and conduct required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and promptly.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure required nursing signatures are documented, and have omissions corrected by appropriate staff.
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 procedures, and reinforce patient and family infection control education as directed and as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient's modality choice.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and customer service standards.