Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Round Rock, TX

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works 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, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient outcomes and satisfaction. The PCT supports patients throughout dialysis treatment, including checking their wellbeing and vascular access, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders, monitoring patients and machine safety, responding to changes or problems as directed, and documenting treatment information. Duties also include collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and supplies, following infection-control practices, and supporting patient education and staff training under appropriate supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports patients’ understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, helps coordinate transitions to a chosen modality, and assists with supplies and inventory. The role involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to meetings may also be required. Work includes computer and desk tasks, interaction with patients and health care staff, exposure to infectious or contagious materials, frequent standing and bending, and regular patient lifting and movement. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
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 stated physical duties, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and handling solutions and equipment.

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 policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and as allowed by state law.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific 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 (PHT).
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis and evaluate intradialytic problems, providing interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the 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 business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS), and document tasks as appropriate.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions as needed.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce infection-control education under the direction of the CM or designee 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 matters for new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with coordination of the patient’s transition to their chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.