Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Bossier City, LA

12d

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, following organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable regulations. The role sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), patient satisfaction, and related process-improvement activities. The PCT assists with patient education and care before, during, and after dialysis. Duties include welcoming patients, checking their wellbeing and vascular access, taking and recording weights and vital signs, cannulating access and administering heparin when delegated or permitted by law, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to orders and procedures, monitoring patient response, addressing problems as directed, and documenting care. The technician also performs machine safety checks, handles prescribed laboratory specimens, maintains supplies and equipment, and reports significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. Additional responsibilities include cleaning and disinfecting treatment areas and equipment, completing treatment and quality-improvement records, supporting infection-control practices and education, and assisting with staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on TCU machines, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. The role involves desk and computer work, interaction with patients and health care personnel, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, business unit, or corporate meetings may also be required. The work takes place in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious diseases or materials. Patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation, as well as frequent prolonged standing and bending. The position may also require pushing or pulling equipment, lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally to a height of 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 may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable 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.
Successfully complete the organization's 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 frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting and handling solutions and equipment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, where appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire 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 document pre-, during-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required patient identification and access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and conduct required safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
Monitor patient response and intradialytic problems; provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage; initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
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, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe and clean facility areas.
Complete CQI participation records; enter treatment data accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on missing or corrected entries by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, prepare laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under direction as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, 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 permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled services.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions to the patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with TCU supply ordering and inventory.