Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Moorefield, WV

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean treatment environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The technician follows organizational policies and procedures, applicable regulations, and required training.

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 organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program as a condition of continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification as a condition of continued employment.
Pass the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the stated physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, moving and assisting patients, and lifting solutions and equipment within the specified limits.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform required patient evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Identify and respond to intradialytic problems, monitor patient response, perform and document interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access and treatment pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes where applicable, and clinical application entries.
Perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing; initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, preventing wastage; maintain a safe and clean environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and assist with infection-control audits and education; support adherence to infection-control practices and policies.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries 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.
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 as permitted by state law, and liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with 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.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.