Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Corinth, TX

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, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, following organizational policies and applicable regulations, and supporting quality-improvement and patient-satisfaction activities. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration as permitted, initiates and discontinues treatments according to established procedures and prescribed orders, monitors patients’ responses, and documents treatment information. The position also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining treatment records, observing machine and patient safety, reporting changes in condition, and cleaning and disinfecting equipment and treatment areas. The role may support staff training and infection-control activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with other staff, assists patients in understanding treatment and home-dialysis options, and supports transition to the patient’s chosen modality. Work includes desk and computer tasks, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The health care environment may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving supplies and equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Must 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 the described physical functions, including prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient lifting and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and supplies.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, intervene as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and document interventions and outcomes.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform and document the procedures necessary to discontinue treatment according to established procedures.
Evaluate patients before termination of venous access and discharge; obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, vital signs, weights, and other required information accurately and promptly on treatment sheets and in clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate 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.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for appropriate placement in the chart.
Prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens according to their laboratory destination.
Assist with collecting information for infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and participate in patient and family infection-control education under direction as allowed by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, 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 allowed by state law, and 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 coordinating 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.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.