Patient Care Technician -- PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Niles, MI

11d•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 technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities, including process improvements intended to support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and monitoring treatment, documenting treatment information, responding to changes in patient condition, and preparing patients for discharge. It also includes laboratory specimen handling, infection-control duties, staff training support, and preparation and cleaning of treatment equipment and areas. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education within the scope allowed by state law, coordinates care with facility staff, supports patients in understanding treatment options and home dialysis, and helps coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities. Work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, and bending. The employee may occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Hold any state licensure and complete education and training required for the role.
Demonstrate commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
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 the physical demands described, including patient handling, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment.

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.
Provide or reinforce patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, vascular access, infection control, and treatment options within the scope allowed by state law.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access and treatment pressures.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, evaluations, and other required treatment information.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures, including machine settings, treatment parameters, and safety checks.
Calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems or unusual findings, provide interventions as directed, document responses, and report significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, assess patients before discharge, and complete relevant treatment documentation.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange pickup 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 appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies and procedures, ethical business practices, and infection-control practices; support infection-control audits and patient and family education under appropriate direction.
Maintain safe and clean working areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare machines for treatment, perform required pretreatment alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and signatures and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Coordinate with appropriate facility staff to support patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory and perform treatments on machines used in the unit.