Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Colorado Springs, CO

6d•$18 - $24

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 regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality enhancement and continuous improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patients and vascular access, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders, monitoring patients and responding to treatment issues, documenting care, and reporting changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also collects and prepares laboratory specimens, supports infection control, maintains equipment and treatment areas, and assists with training other direct patient care staff under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, helps patients understand treatment options including home dialysis, and assists with modality transitions, equipment setup, supply ordering, and inventory. The work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. The role involves frequent prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and lifting solutions and equipment. The employer may provide equipment or coworker assistance, including a two-person assist program and material-assist devices. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing it 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 as a condition of continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification as a condition of continued employment.
Ability to perform the described physical functions, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and moving, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally to a height of five feet; equipment or coworker assistance may be available.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education on dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis 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 safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct machine safety checks.
Monitor patients' response to dialysis and evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess the patient before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate the patient before discharge.
Record accurate and timely treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and other patient treatment information in required records and applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant and follow facility policy.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain safe, clean, and aesthetically appropriate areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document preparation as appropriate, conduct 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, required nursing signatures, and correction of omitted entries by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork and prepare or print requisitions for prescribed or stat laboratory specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit 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 help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.