Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Hope Mills, NC

14d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, 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 satisfaction and clinical goals. 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 issues as directed. The role includes documenting treatment information, vital signs, weights, machine parameters, interventions, and patient responses; reporting changes in patient condition; collecting and preparing laboratory specimens; and maintaining supplies and equipment. The PCT also supports staff training, infection prevention, and, where applicable, transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients, including education about treatment options and coordination of care. Work involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, business unit, or corporate meetings. The role includes frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and handling dialysis solutions and equipment. 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.

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 and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
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 the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment.

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.
Assist with patient education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and within applicable legal requirements.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform vascular access evaluations, and complete patient assessments.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks, including required pretreatment alarm testing.
Identify intradialytic problems, provide interventions as directed, monitor patient responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, assessments, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in required records and clinical applications.
Evaluate vascular access and monitor arterial and venous pressures during treatment; intervene as needed 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 appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between patients.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment to support treatment and prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment and follow organizational business policies and procedures.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted or corrected entries with appropriate staff; prepare initial patient charts and required laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection control audits, reinforce infection control practices, and participate in patient and family infection control education under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate visits by appropriate disciplines, and support understanding of home dialysis products and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstrations such as peritoneal dialysis setup, coordinate transitions to the patient's chosen modality, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.