Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Euclid, OH

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 requirements, as well as applicable state and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and the organization's Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, cannulating access, monitoring patients and treatment parameters, responding to treatment-related issues, documenting care, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also supports patient education, laboratory specimen handling, infection control, staff training, and continuous quality improvement activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and helps coordinate transitional care. This includes reinforcing education, supporting understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, assisting with modality transitions, operating TCU machines, and helping manage supplies and inventory.

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.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
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, bending, and assisting with patient lifting, moving, and ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet, with assistance or material-assist devices available for heavier items.

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, 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.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform the functions required to discontinue treatment.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures; evaluate patients before terminating venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and document pre- and post-dialysis assessments, weights, vital signs, and treatment information.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160.
Observe patients and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy; report changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document interventions for unusual patient status and record the patients’ responses.
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, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and follow facility policy.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse 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 a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
Enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and organize admission paperwork.
Prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate 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 permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law.
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 and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and understand treatment options.
Assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities and with TCU supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required.