Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Frisco, TX

19d

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, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and participating in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities focused on patient satisfaction and care outcomes. The technician supports patients before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include gathering patient measurements and observations, assessing vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments as directed, monitoring patient responses, responding to problems, documenting care, and reporting changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also involves preparing and handling laboratory specimens, maintaining infection control, cleaning and testing equipment, and supporting staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and helps coordinate transitional care, patient education, treatment-option demonstrations, and transition to the patient’s chosen modality. The role also assists with supply ordering and inventory. The work includes desk and computer tasks as well as direct patient care in a health care facility. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required, and travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required. The position may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients, equipment, and solutions. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable 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; 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 direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and assisting with patient lifting, movement, and ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with 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 coworkers may assist with heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations within the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required measurements before reinfusion and before discharge.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and document patient responses.
Calculate and enter prescribed machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks; report patient changes, unusual findings, and significant information to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access and arterial and venous pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required signatures and corrections are completed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and coordinate laboratory specimen collection.
Support infection-control practices, assist with infection-control audits, follow policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow new 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; liaise with appropriate 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 TCU supply ordering and inventory.