Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Norton, VA

1d•$13 - $22

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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician 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 organizational quality goals. The position involves direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders, monitoring patients and equipment, documenting care, and reporting changes or concerns to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also performs laboratory specimen tasks, maintains infection-control practices, supports patient education, and may help train direct patient care staff under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports patients in understanding home dialysis and treatment options, and helps coordinate transitions to the patient's chosen modality. The work takes place in a health care facility and includes desk and computer work, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, and bending. The role may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials. The hourly rate is $13.00–$22.00, depending on work location and qualifications.

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.
Demonstrated 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.
Pass the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient-care duties that regularly involve lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to stand for prolonged periods and bend over frequently; occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations within the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access and perform cannulation and delegated heparin administration as permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Monitor patient response to treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform the tasks required to discontinue treatment; evaluate the patient before termination and discharge.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and perform machine safety checks.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment sheets and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
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 follow facility infection-control policies.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
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 and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis machines, perform required pretreatment alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission and placement in the chart.
Prepare and print laboratory requisitions and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education for staff, patients, and families as directed and permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients and liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of transitions to the patient's chosen modality, set up and perform treatments on TCU machines, and help with supply ordering and inventory.