Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Post Falls, ID

12d

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, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The PCT also supports quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments. Duties include welcoming patients, assessing their wellbeing and vascular access, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to orders and procedures, monitoring patient responses, documenting treatment information, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT may perform cannulation and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law, collect laboratory specimens, and monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision. Additional responsibilities include preparing and disinfecting equipment and treatment areas, conducting machine alarm testing and safety checks, maintaining accurate clinical records, supporting infection control practices, and participating in continuous quality improvement. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with staff, supports understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, and helps coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities. The role involves desk and computer work, interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and other locations in the community. The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials may occur. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, and bending. The employee may occasionally push or pull equipment and frequently lift solutions up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting up to 40 pounds. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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 organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends 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 the described physical duties, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing 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 vital signs and weights, and perform required patient evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ response to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Evaluate vascular access and monitor arterial and venous pressures during treatment; document and report unusual findings.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, achieve hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets for completeness and corrections.
Report significant information and changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly work areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Initiate the Solution Delivery System and conduct tasks required to prepare for dialysis treatment.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, support adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee 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 matters for new patients as allowed by state law, coordinate with appropriate staff, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions to their chosen modality.
Set and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.