Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Walterboro, SC

10d

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 working environment, and participating in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment; assesses vascular access; performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration as permitted; obtains and records vital signs, weights, and treatment information; initiates, monitors, and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures; and responds to patient or machine-related issues as directed. The role also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, documenting care, reporting changes in patient condition, maintaining equipment and supplies, and supporting infection-control practices. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. Work includes desk and computer tasks, direct interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The health care facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise levels, with possible exposure to infectious materials. The position involves frequent and prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and lifting dialysis solutions and other items. Reasonable accommodations may be considered. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing it does not automatically preclude employment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet 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; 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.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, and lifting and moving patients and supplies; accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist the health care team 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 before and during treatment; perform cannulation and delegated heparin administration as permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and other required patient assessments.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ response to therapy, assess and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and record patient responses.
Check machine safety and vascular-access monitoring pressures, and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas according to facility policy.
Prepare 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 facility areas.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; accurately enter treatment data and complete treatment records.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm required nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork; prepare lab requisitions and coordinate laboratory specimen collection.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce infection-control education under appropriate direction.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Support patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Assist with coordinating transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.