Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Cincinnati, OH

11d

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. Sets up and operates hemodialysis machines and helps maintain a safe, clean working environment. Supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. The technician welcomes patients, assesses their wellbeing and vascular access, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and monitors dialysis treatments, responds to treatment issues as directed, and completes treatment documentation. Duties also include collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining infection-control practices, cleaning and testing equipment, supporting patient education, and assisting with staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, demonstrates treatment options as appropriate, and assists with machine treatments and supply inventory. The role involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and work in a healthcare environment where exposure to infectious materials may occur.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must have any state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
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.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending, and regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance devices or a two-person assist program are available for heavier items.
Previous patient-care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred.

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 and evaluate access before and during treatment, including monitoring arterial and venous pressures.
Perform vascular access cannulation and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights; evaluate patients before, during, and after dialysis.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and calculate and enter machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Monitor patient responses, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform treatment discontinuation procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, evaluate patients before discharge, and document treatment information accurately and promptly.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled, observe patients, conduct machine safety checks, and document interventions and patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
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 organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe and clean areas; and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, complete required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete and document participation in CQI activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and promptly.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and coordinate specimen collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, 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.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as allowed by state law, coordinate with FKC staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with coordination of the patient’s modality transition.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.