Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Coeur d'Alene, ID

14d

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, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and complying with organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The technician supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), continuous quality improvement (CQI), patient satisfaction, and related process improvement activities. The PCT assists with patient education and care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, cannulation, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patients and machines, documenting care, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also involves specimen collection and preparation, infection-control practices, equipment cleaning, treatment documentation, and support for staff training. 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 options, and assists with equipment setup and supply inventory. The position involves desk and computer work, interaction with patients and care-team members, and travel between assigned facilities and other locations in the community. The work environment is that of a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care includes frequent standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or moving supplies and equipment. The employee must take an 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 CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all 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 described physical duties, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and supplies.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last 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 and weights, including 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 parameters, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis and evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion; discontinue treatment according to procedures; assess patients before termination and discharge; obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, or vascular access concerns to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using 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 organization policies and procedures, ethical business practices, and infection-control requirements.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff and nursing signatures are present.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education for patients and families 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, and liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate services and provide a positive patient experience.
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.
Assist with coordinating transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.