Patient Care Technician -- PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Niles, MI

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, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and following organizational procedures and applicable state and federal regulations. The PCT contributes to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts related to patient satisfaction and process improvement. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to orders and procedures, monitoring patient responses, recording treatment information, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also supports patient education, laboratory collection and preparation, infection control, equipment cleaning and testing, and accurate clinical recordkeeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, supports understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, and assists with modality transitions and supplies. Work includes interaction with patients, staff, and physicians; travel between assigned facilities and community locations; and work in a health care environment with possible exposure to infectious materials. The role requires frequent standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies, with equipment or coworker assistance available where needed.

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 the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on completion.
Pass the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, assisting with ambulation, and heavy lifting or moving of patients.
Ability 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.
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

Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and evaluations, including initial identification.
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 UF modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients' responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, intervene as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly in the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and designated clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Support patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits; follow and reinforce infection-control practices and education as directed.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, check for required nursing signatures, and ensure omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care with appropriate staff.
Reinforce education for new patients, support understanding of home dialysis products and treatment options, and assist with demonstrations and modality transitions.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.