Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Cedar Hill, TX

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 technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including patient assessment, vascular access care, machine setup and monitoring, documentation, specimen collection, and reporting changes in patient condition. The technician also supports patient education, infection control, staff training, and, in a Transitional Care Unit, coordination and education for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis. The work includes computer and desk tasks, interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The health care facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care involves frequent and prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation. The role may also require pushing or pulling equipment and lifting solutions and other items, with assistance or devices 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 GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable 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 remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
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 described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation; accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and as permitted by state law.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required initial identification and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160.
Monitor patient responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide or document interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess the patient before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate the patient before discharge.
Document treatment information accurately and promptly on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and, where applicable, in progress notes and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in condition, unusual findings, and vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and 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.
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 according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures and appropriate corrections or omitted entries are addressed.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission, 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 permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care.
In the Transitional Care Unit, reinforce education and care information, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup.
In the Transitional Care Unit, set up and perform treatments on all machines used, assist with coordination of the patient’s modality transition, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.