Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Lithonia, GA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the 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 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 PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment; evaluates vascular access; obtains and records vital signs, weights, treatment parameters, and laboratory specimens; initiates, monitors, and discontinues dialysis treatments; and documents treatment and patient responses. The role reports changes in patient condition and unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor, supports infection-control practices, and assists with patient education and staff training under appropriate supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and treatment options, and supports transitions to the patient’s chosen modality. The position involves direct patient care, frequent standing and bending, lifting and moving patients and supplies, and travel between assigned facilities and other locations. The work takes place in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Employees 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.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must have all applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
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 direct patient care involving heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation, with equipment or coworker assistance available.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and conduct vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patients’ machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis therapy, identify intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, evaluate patients before discharge, and perform and document post-treatment assessments.
Accurately document treatment information, vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, and patient responses in required records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly with 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 programs under the supervision of a nurse.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted or incorrect entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under appropriate direction.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care for new patients, liaise with staff to coordinate services, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with demonstrations of peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of transitions to patients’ chosen modalities and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and other community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required.