Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Sardis, MS

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, providing direct patient care, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and following organizational procedures and applicable regulations. The PCT supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The position involves preparing for and delivering dialysis treatments, monitoring patients and machine safety, documenting treatment information, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting changes in a patient’s condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also supports infection-control practices and may assist with patient education and the coordination of care for newly admitted patients in the Transitional Care Unit. Work includes interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians; travel between assigned facilities and community locations may be required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
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.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending, and regular heavy lifting or moving of patients and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment may require up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in 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.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and other required patient evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment times, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient responses to treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform machine safety checks and evaluate vascular access pressures during treatment; document interventions and patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, and arrange their storage and collection according to laboratory requirements.
Complete accurate, timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, clinical application entries, and required chart paperwork.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omissions or corrections are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare and organize 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.
Maintain a safe and clean work environment, clean and disinfect equipment and treatment areas between patients, and promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Perform required pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under direction and 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 matters for new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Assist patients in understanding home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; help coordinate transitions to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and customer service standards.