Patient Care Tehcnician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Ironton, OH

9d•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, training, and applicable regulatory requirements. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including process improvements related to patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT supports patients before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include assessing vascular access, cannulation, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patients and equipment, responding to and documenting treatment concerns, collecting laboratory specimens, and maintaining accurate clinical records. The technician also helps educate patients, supports infection-control practices, assists with staff training, and performs machine and area cleaning and preparation. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, assists with modality transitions, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The role involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The position includes direct patient care, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

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.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Pass the Ishihara color-vision test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with 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 5 feet. Assistance devices and a two-person assist program are available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations within the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education related to dialysis adequacy, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, 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.
Initiate dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatments according to established procedures, assess patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Record accurate and timely treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and other required information in treatment sheets and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and follow facility policy.
Prepare, organize, and efficiently use supplies and equipment 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 safe and clean work areas and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document as appropriate, complete required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce adherence and education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and help coordinate TCU supply ordering and inventory.