Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Springfield, MO

1d•Onsite

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 organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supports quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment. Duties include welcoming patients, assessing their wellbeing and vascular access, obtaining and documenting weights and vital signs, initiating and discontinuing treatments as prescribed, monitoring patients and machine safety, responding to treatment issues as directed, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also documents treatment information, collects and prepares laboratory specimens, maintains supplies and equipment, and supports infection-control practices. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and helps coordinate transitional care. This includes reinforcing education, supporting patients’ understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, assisting with modality transitions, and helping manage supplies and inventory. The work includes computer and desk tasks, interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The health care setting may involve exposure to infectious materials. The role regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting solutions and equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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.
Demonstrate 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 the physical functions of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, with assistance or material-assist devices available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and according to prescribed orders, organization procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required assessments before treatment, before reinfusion, and before discharge.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to established procedures and prescribed settings, including blood flow, dialysate flow, ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document the interventions and patient response.
Perform hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before treatment termination and discharge.
Enable required machine safety alarms, conduct machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing, and report unusual findings or changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Accurately complete treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, clinical application entries, and other required patient treatment documentation.
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 organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste, and assist with supply ordering and inventory for the Transitional Care Unit.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and support patient satisfaction and quality enhancement goals.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment and follow organization business policies, ethical practices, and infection-control policies and procedures.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under the direction of the Center Manager 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, liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate the patient experience and scheduled services, and support understanding of home dialysis products and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, and assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, review treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures, and prepare laboratory requisitions.