Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Janesville, WI

12d•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 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 supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The clinic operates treatments Monday through Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., on a rotating schedule. Training will be provided. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including patient assessment, vascular access care, machine programming and operation, monitoring, documentation, and reporting changes in patient condition. The technician also assists with laboratory specimen handling, infection control, patient education, staff training, and transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients. Work includes travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community, and may include travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The role is performed in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials.

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.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending; heavy lifting and moving of patients; and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Ability to take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assist with patient education regarding adequacy measures, the disease process, and vascular access, as appropriate and within the role’s scope.
Evaluate vascular access for patency; perform cannulation and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations, including initial patient identification.
Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and intervene as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion; discontinue treatment according to established procedures; assess the patient before termination of venous access, including standing and sitting blood pressure; obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; and evaluate the patient before discharge.
Record accurate, timely treatment parameters and patient information on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and in the designated clinical application; complete applicable progress notes and other treatment documentation.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor; document interventions and patient responses.
Monitor arterial and venous access pressures during treatment and provide, document, and report appropriate interventions.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, and store specimens according to laboratory requirements; prepare requisitions; and ensure collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant according to facility policy.
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 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 machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document tasks as appropriate, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and organize admission paperwork for placement in the chart.
Assist with infection control audits, reinforce infection control practices, follow infection control policies and procedures, and support patient and family infection control education under the direction of the CM 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 as allowed by state law; liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and how it may work for them.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit; help patients understand treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with transitional care unit supply ordering and inventory.