Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Grove City, OH

8d•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 organizational 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 Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities aimed at improving patient satisfaction and outcomes. The PCT supports patients throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing their wellbeing and vascular access, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patient and machine status, addressing issues as directed, documenting care, and reporting changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also assists with patient education, laboratory specimen handling, infection control, staff training, and preparation and maintenance of dialysis equipment and treatment areas. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, helps coordinate transitions to a chosen modality, and assists with supplies and inventory.

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.
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.
Employees 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.
Ability to perform essential physical functions, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient ambulation and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions weighing 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.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including initial identification and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed patient machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform required pre-termination checks, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly, including required treatment sheets and progress notes.
Report significant patient information, changes in condition, or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, provide appropriate interventions, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens in accordance with laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain safe and clean areas and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis, complete required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS), and document as appropriate.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; enter treatment data accurately and timely in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection control audits, reinforce infection control practices, follow infection control policies and procedures, and support infection control education for patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with coordinating transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.