Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Boise, ID

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), continuous quality improvement activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvement. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration as permitted, obtains and documents patient assessments and vital signs, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to orders and procedures, monitors treatment response, addresses problems as directed, and reports changes to the registered nurse or supervisor. The position also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining accurate treatment records, conducting machine safety checks, and cleaning and disinfecting equipment and treatment areas. Additional duties may include supporting staff training, infection-control activities, and transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks. In the transitional care unit, the technician helps reinforce education, coordinate care and modality transitions, demonstrate treatment options, and manage supplies and inventory. The role involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, business unit, or corporate meetings may also be required. Work includes patient interaction, desk and computer tasks, frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering supplies and solutions. Exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials is possible. Employees 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.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (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 to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Ability to perform direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Ability to take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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 inquire about their well-being since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights, vital signs, and patient evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT).
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access and arterial and venous pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, document findings, and report unusual results.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other treatment information accurately and on time.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families as permitted by state law.
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 and liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate services and appointments.
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.