Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Glendale Heights, IL

15d

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean working environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational goals. The PCT supports patients throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures, monitoring patient responses and machine safety, recording treatment information, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, supporting infection control practices, maintaining treatment equipment and the care environment, and completing clinical records. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, supports patients in understanding treatment and home dialysis options, and assists with treatment setup and supply inventory. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and frequent standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients or equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet any 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.
Pass the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and heavy lifting or moving of patients, with assistance or devices available where applicable.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift and lower solutions weighing 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

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, cannulate access, 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 dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient observation and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed; monitor and document the patient's response to therapy and interventions.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, evaluate the patient before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and other patient information accurately and promptly in the designated records.
Report significant patient information, changes in condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and facility procedures.
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 programs under a nurse's supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, conduct and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data, review treatment sheets for completeness, and ensure omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare requisitions for prescribed or stat laboratory specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, support adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies, and reinforce patient and family infection control education as directed and permitted 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, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions to the patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.