Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Missoula, MT

14d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organization policies, procedures, and training, 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 improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including checking patients in, evaluating vascular access, cannulating access, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and monitoring treatment, responding to patient or machine issues, discontinuing treatment, and documenting care. The technician reports changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor and supports patient education, infection control, laboratory collection, and staff training under appropriate supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, coordinates aspects of their transitional care, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, helps coordinate modality transitions, and assists with supplies and inventory. The role involves work in a healthcare facility and travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and corporate meetings may also be required. Work includes computer and desk tasks and interaction with patients, staff, and physicians. The environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. Frequent prolonged standing and bending are required; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment may require up to 15 pounds of force. Frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet may be required. Two-person assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items. 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 applicable 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 to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to perform the described physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient handling and ambulation assistance, and lifting or moving items as specified.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist healthcare team members with patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including the required patient identification and vascular access evaluation.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160.
Monitor patients and machine safety, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as appropriate and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform and document the required functions to discontinue treatment according to established procedures.
Obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, and evaluate the patient before discharge and termination of venous access, including standing and sitting blood pressure.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and on time.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills immediately 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 safe and clean work areas.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and promptly.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by the appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork; prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and participate in patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and the peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with coordination of transitions 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.