Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Atlanta, GA

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 state and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality improvement activities intended to improve patient satisfaction and help patients achieve organizational quality goals. The position provides patient-specific support throughout dialysis treatment, including preparing and operating equipment, assessing vascular access, obtaining and recording vital signs and weights, monitoring patient responses, intervening as directed, documenting treatment, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also supports patient education, specimen collection, infection control, staff training, and continuous quality improvement. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with other staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, supports transitions to a chosen modality, and assists with supplies and inventory.

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.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Be able to perform direct patient care involving frequent and prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Be able 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. Assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with 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.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including vascular access evaluations and initial patient identification.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Check that appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits.
Monitor patients and their response to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Evaluate patients before discharge and before termination of venous access; obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Record accurate and timely treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other required information in treatment sheets and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and infection-control requirements.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and assist with infection-control audits and education.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law, and coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
Assist with transitions to the patient's chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, review treatment sheets for completeness, and arrange completion or correction of omitted entries by appropriate staff.