Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Jackson, MS

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the dialysis health care team to support safe and effective home dialysis therapy and patient training under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. Work must comply with organization policies and procedures, applicable laws and regulations, and state and federal requirements. The role assists with home dialysis equipment setup and helps maintain a safe, clean environment within the home therapy program. The PCT also supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), continuous quality improvement activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvements tied to organizational quality goals. The position provides support for home hemodialysis (HHD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD), within the scope permitted by law and under the direct supervision of the Home Therapies registered nurse. Responsibilities include reinforcing patient training, gathering and documenting patient information, preparing treatment rooms and supplies, maintaining equipment, helping with patient scheduling and records, supporting specimen collection and shipment, and communicating patient or treatment concerns to the nurse. The role may include patient care activities during HHD treatments, assistance with PD equipment and procedures, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work includes desk and personal computer tasks as well as regular interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials may occur. The job involves frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation. Employees may occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force and frequently lift solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifts up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet. Equipment or coworkers may assist with heavier items. An Ishihara color blindness test is required as a condition of employment; failure to pass does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline and hold any required state licensure, education, or training. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification. Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred. Fresenius Medical Care is a drug-free and equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization's mission, culture, core 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.
Ability to perform the described physical work, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and lifting solutions.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Reinforce home hemodialysis and/or peritoneal dialysis training as permitted by law.
Welcome patients; obtain vital signs and weights; and gather information for the Clinic Visit Intake form.
Maintain communication and collaboration with patients, care partners, the Home Therapies registered nurse, other patient-care staff, providers, and team members.
Obtain and review treatment records for completion and report missing or abnormal data to the Home Therapies registered nurse.
Assist with electronic reconciliation of home treatments, medications, and oral nutritional supplements, and report missing data or orders to the Home Therapies registered nurse.
May assist Home Therapies registered nurses with home visits and provide home support where applicable and permissible.
Prepare supplies for prescribed laboratory testing and specimens for shipping.
Assist with tracking and shipping transplant-related laboratory specimens and reinforce transplant education.
Complete and document opening and closing daily chores.
Disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, tables, and other equipment between patient visits and routinely.
Prepare exam and training rooms for home dialysis training, treatment, and other visits; stock exam, training, treatment, and storage rooms.
Manage supplies to maximize use and minimize waste; assist patients and care partners with supplies and inventory ordering and management.
Schedule patient appointments and contact patients or caregivers with appointment dates, times, and reminders.
Support patient registration and use of connected health; maintain logs and tracking records.
May order and track clinic or office supplies as directed.
Participate in medical-record, infection-control, and other audit processes as directed.
Collaborate during staff huddles and meetings.
Help collect patient admission documentation and prepare and maintain electronic and/or paper patient charts as directed.
Perform clerical duties as assigned, including answering phones, faxing, email, and contacting provider offices.
For HHD, set up, tear down, program, test, and disinfect the HHD machine as directed; troubleshoot machinery, tools, and connectivity issues.
For HHD, prepare dialysate and treatment supplies according to directions and standing or provider orders.
For HHD, evaluate dialysis access before treatment, document findings, and report abnormal findings to the Home Therapies registered nurse.
For HHD, initiate treatment and monitor and document patient status, vital signs, and machine data in the treatment record.
For HHD, perform and document safety checks at intervals required by CMS and facility policy; report significant patient-status changes to the Home Therapies registered nurse and document them.
For HHD, provide and document interventions in response to interdialytic events as directed and permissible.
For HHD, obtain and document pre-treatment termination and post-treatment vital signs; report post-treatment findings to the Home Therapies registered nurse.
For HHD, ensure hemostasis of the dialysis access before leaving the treatment area.
Assist with quarterly, semi-annual, and annual water and dialysate testing as directed.
For PD, troubleshoot cycler, modem, and connectivity issues.
For PD, perform prescribed phlebotomy as directed when state and/or competency requirements are met.
For PD, set up the cycler and prepare and warm PD solutions as directed; assist with exit site care as directed.
May help track PD equipment.
Perform other duties as assigned.