Patient Care Technician - PCT - Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care

5d•$15 - $24

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities, including those focused on patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, performs pre- and post-treatment assessments, supports vascular access care, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to orders and established procedures, monitors patient response, and documents treatment information. The position also involves preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining treatment and patient records, following infection control practices, and helping patients understand treatment and care options. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and helps coordinate their transition to a chosen treatment modality. The work includes computer and desk tasks as well as direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to meetings. The environment is that of a health care facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and possible exposure to infectious or contagious materials. The role involves frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and handling dialysis solutions and equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Hold any state licensure and complete education and training required for the role.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program and 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.
Be able to perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and handling solutions and equipment; assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education support regarding adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and monitor patients’ responses to dialysis therapy.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform and document the functions required to discontinue treatment.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, evaluate patients before termination of venous access, obtain standing and sitting blood pressure readings, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and complete pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, including weight and vital signs with initial identification.
Calculate and enter prescribed individual dialysis-machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160.
Record accurate and timely vital signs, treatment parameters, and patient treatment information on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and, when applicable, progress notes.
Report significant information or changes in patient condition and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients, perform machine safety checks, and document interventions and patient responses to unusual status.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as needed, document, and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, and store specimens according to laboratory specifications; prepare requisitions and ensure courier collection.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant and follow facility policy.
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 a safe, clean, and orderly environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document as appropriate, perform required pre-treatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly into 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 compile paperwork for placement in the chart.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, 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 appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition 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.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.