Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Cartersville, GA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality improvement activities intended to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The technician follows organizational policies and procedures and applicable regulations. The position provides direct patient care before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures, monitoring patients and machine safety, responding to treatment issues as directed, documenting care, and reporting significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also collects and prepares laboratory specimens, supports infection-control practices, and assists with patient education and staff training under appropriate supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates aspects of transitional care with other staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with modality transitions and supply inventory. The role involves desk and computer work as well as interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; 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 or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing, and bending. The employee may occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. An Ishihara color blindness test is required as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet 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; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Pass the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to perform the stated physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions up to the specified weights, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various community locations.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist with patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, the disease process, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient responses to dialysis, assess and respond to intradialytic problems as directed, document interventions and responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge and document treatment evaluations.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, and patient care accurately and promptly in treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and the designated clinical application.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare or print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family 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, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure scheduled disciplines see the patient according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment 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 help coordinate supply ordering and inventory.