Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Marion, SC

15d•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 and continuous quality improvement activities focused on patient outcomes and satisfaction. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, performs pre- and post-treatment assessments, evaluates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment-related concerns as directed. The role includes recording treatment information, carrying out delegated interventions, collecting laboratory specimens, and communicating significant changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also maintains equipment and treatment areas, supports infection control, and assists with staff training under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate care for newly admitted dialysis patients during their first four weeks, reinforces education as permitted by state law, supports understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, and assists with transition to the patient's chosen modality. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and physical activity including prolonged standing, bending, assisting with ambulation, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline and complete the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification requirements for continued employment. Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification requirements to remain employed.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient ambulation, and lifting or moving patients and supplies.

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 previous treatment.
Provide patient-specific education regarding dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and within the role's scope.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and complete patient evaluations before and after treatment.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Enable required machine safety alarms and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform prescribed or directed interventions, and document the patient's response.
Monitor vascular access and arterial and venous pressures during treatment; intervene as appropriate and report unusual findings.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly in the treatment sheet and clinical application.
Report significant information or changes in a patient's condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using the 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 appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain safe and clean areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Tests, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission and placement in the chart.
Prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens according to their destination.
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.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and how it may work for them.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, and assist with demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup and explaining treatment options.
Assist with coordinating transitions to the patient's chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.