Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Augusta, GA

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 involves setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment-related concerns as directed. The role includes operating and checking dialysis equipment, documenting patient treatment information, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining infection-control practices, and assisting with patient education and staff training under appropriate supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with transition to the patient’s chosen modality. The job requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations and involves direct patient care and physical tasks such as lifting and moving patients and supplies.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required 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 to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
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 direct patient-care duties involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over; occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members in providing patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including patient identification and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed or directed; monitor and document the patient’s response.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess the patient before termination of venous access, achieve hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and complete and document pre- and post-dialysis assessments.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment parameters and patient information accurately and promptly, including treatment sheets and applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in condition, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient-care staff on programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe and clean areas.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required pretreatment 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 accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print 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 education under the direction of the CM or designee 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 as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and how it may work for them; assist with understanding treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
Assist with coordinating transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.