Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Three Rivers, MI

13d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe, 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 environment, and complying with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The technician supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities, including initiatives related to patient satisfaction and process improvement. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment; assesses vascular access; performs cannulation and delegated or legally permitted heparin administration; obtains and documents vital signs, weights, and treatment information; initiates and discontinues treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures; and reports significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role includes machine safety checks, treatment programming, documentation, specimen collection and preparation, and appropriate interventions for patient or treatment issues. The technician also cleans and disinfects equipment and treatment areas, supports infection-control practices and audits, helps train applicable direct-care staff under nurse supervision, and completes required clinical records and CQI documentation. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with equipment, supplies, and modality transitions. The work involves patient and facility interaction, desk and computer work, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to meetings. The health care facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials may occur. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. Frequent, prolonged standing and bending are required; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment and lifting solutions are also required. Reasonable accommodations may be considered. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment, but failing it does not preclude employment; accommodations may be considered. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline and hold any required state licensure, education, and training. Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification. The employer maintains a drug-free workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Hold any applicable state licensure and complete required education and training.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent 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 described physical functions, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally; accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for 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, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis-machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient response to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures; intervene as needed and document and report unusual findings.
Document vital signs, treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, responses, and other treatment information accurately and promptly.
Conduct patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
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 in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe, clean, and orderly work areas.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document CQI activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure appropriate corrections or missing entries are addressed.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare or print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce adherence to infection-control practices and education for patients and families 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 transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, and liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home-dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; support coordination of 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.