Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Cranberry Township, PA

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 organization policies, procedures, and training requirements, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities aimed at improving patient satisfaction and outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including obtaining assessments and vital signs, evaluating vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patient response, responding to problems, and documenting treatment data. The PCT also prepares laboratory specimens, follows infection-control procedures, maintains equipment and treatment areas, and assists with patient education and staff training under appropriate supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, assists patients in understanding home dialysis options, and supports unit inventory and equipment preparation. The work involves desk and computer tasks as well as regular patient interaction and direct care. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The health care facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The role requires frequent standing and bending, assisting patients with lifting and ambulation, and handling supplies and equipment. High school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline and complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification to remain employed.

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 and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Pass 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 tasks involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient lifting and ambulation, and handling solutions and equipment as described.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and community locations; 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 is preferred.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Provide patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures and disease or access matters, as appropriate and within applicable limits.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations, with required patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and perform machine safety checks and required alarm testing.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, carry out prescribed or directed interventions, and document patient response.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess the patient before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Record accurate and timely treatment information on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and in designated clinical applications; complete applicable progress notes and correct or follow up on incomplete entries through appropriate staff.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare requisitions, collect and label specimens, prepare and store them according to laboratory specifications, and ensure courier collection.
Clean blood spills using facility-approved disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain safe and clean facility areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Conduct all preparation tasks for dialysis treatment, document as appropriate, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete and document participation in CQI activities.
Prepare initial patient charts for admission and compile paperwork for chart placement.
Assist with collecting information for infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow applicable policies, and reinforce patient and family infection-control education under direction and 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 information for new patients and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Assist in coordinating transition to the patient’s chosen modality and support Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.