Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Portland, OR

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 corporate, 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 focused on patient satisfaction and achievement of organizational Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and monitoring treatment, responding to treatment-related issues as directed, documenting care, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also prepares and maintains dialysis equipment and supplies, collects and handles laboratory specimens, supports infection-control practices, and contributes to staff and patient education. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports understanding of home dialysis options, and assists with TCU supplies and inventory. The work includes desk and computer tasks as well as patient interaction and travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. The health care setting has controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur. The role involves frequent, prolonged standing, bending, assisting patients with movement and ambulation, and lifting or moving solutions and equipment. A two-person assist program and material-assist 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.
Demonstrate 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.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Be able to perform the role's physical functions, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting patients with ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment as described.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed or directed; monitor patient response to therapy.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform and document the procedures needed to discontinue treatment, including standing and sitting blood pressure checks where specified.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge.
Calculate and enter prescribed patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160.
Accurately and promptly document treatment parameters, vital signs, patient evaluations, interventions, and patient responses in the required treatment records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as appropriate, document, and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant and follow facility policy.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently 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 a safe, clean environment and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document as appropriate, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures are documented, and arrange for omissions to be completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile admission paperwork for placement in the chart.
Prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens according to laboratory destination.
Ensure laboratory specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
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.
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 information for new patients as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduling of disciplines according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and how home dialysis may work for them, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatment on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
Assist in coordinating transition to the patient's chosen modality and in ordering and maintaining TCU supplies and inventory.