Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Fredericksburg, VA

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. Provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patient wellbeing and vascular access, taking and recording vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders and procedures, monitoring the patient’s response, addressing treatment issues as directed, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician documents treatment information, performs machine safety checks, prepares laboratory specimens, and maintains supplies and equipment. The position also supports patient education, staff training, infection control, and record keeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, and supports equipment and supply needs. Work includes direct patient interaction, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and physical tasks such as prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable 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.
Able to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assistance with ambulation.
Able to occasionally push or pull equipment using 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 5 feet. Assistance devices or coworkers may be available for heavier items.
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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their prior treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate patients before and after treatment.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient response and machine safety during treatment; intervene as directed and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in required records and clinical applications.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage; observe self-care patients under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff under the supervision of a nurse.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and follow organizational policies, ethical business practices, and infection control procedures.
Participate in continuous quality improvement activities and infection control audits; reinforce infection control education for patients and families as permitted by state law.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure required nursing signatures and corrections are obtained, prepare initial patient charts, and prepare laboratory requisitions.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care with appropriate staff.
Reinforce education for new patients, help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, and assist with treatment option education, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with coordinating transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community, and attend regional, business unit, or corporate meetings when required.