Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Columbia, TN

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with patient care and education, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and following organizational policies and applicable regulations. The technician supports Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities aimed at improving patient satisfaction and outcomes. The position involves direct patient care, including preparing patients and equipment for treatment, monitoring patients during dialysis, documenting treatment information, responding to changes in patient condition, and collecting and preparing laboratory specimens. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis and helps coordinate education and transitions to their chosen treatment modality. Work includes desk and computer tasks as well as interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The work environment resembles a health care facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The role requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending, and may involve pushing or pulling equipment and lifting solutions. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing it does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline; CCHT is required as stated in the posting.
Any applicable 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.
Ability to perform the described physical duties, including frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility.

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome patients and ask about their wellbeing since their prior treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor vascular access during treatment.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate patients before and after treatment.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, assess intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment records and clinical applications.
Conduct machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test; initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage; maintain safe and clean areas.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Complete and document participation in CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure corrections or omitted entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, reinforce infection control practices, and provide infection control education to patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
For 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, liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure appointments with disciplines follow the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with modality transitions.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.