Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Augusta, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role involves setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician provides direct patient care, monitors patients during treatment, documents treatment information, and reports changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also supports patient education, infection-control practices, staff training, and record keeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports patients in understanding treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with supplies and inventory. The work includes interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians; computer and desk work; and travel between assigned facilities and other community locations. The environment is characteristic of a health care facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise. Employees may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases or materials. The role involves frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and direct patient-care activities that regularly include heavy lifting and moving patients. Employees may need to lift solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, and push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or G.E.D.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
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.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or allowed by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and patient 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 ultrafiltration modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, assess and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other treatment information accurately and promptly in the required records and clinical application.
Perform machine safety checks and required pre-treatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange appropriate courier collection of specimens.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant.
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.
Support infection-control audits, practices, policies, procedures, and patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee, as permitted by state law.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required signatures and corrections are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print 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 with appropriate staff.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, help patients understand treatment options and home dialysis, and assist with demonstrations of peritoneal dialysis setup.
Coordinate the transition to the patient’s chosen modality, assist with TCU supply ordering and inventory, and set up and perform treatments on machines used in the unit.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.