Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Rocky Mount, VA

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 regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, supports a safe and clean environment, and participates in quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, obtaining and recording vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patient response, responding to issues as directed, and documenting care. It also involves preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and supplies, supporting infection control, and assisting 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 care with the appropriate staff, supports understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, and assists with modality transitions and inventory. The job involves work in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and regular direct patient care with physical demands that include lifting and moving patients and supplies.

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.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to meet the physical requirements of the role, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient ambulation and transfers, and lifting solutions and other items.
Ability to 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

Provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with policies, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up, operate, and monitor hemodialysis machines, including performing required machine alarm and safety checks.
Welcome patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform required patient evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ response to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, document findings, and report unusual results.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, vital signs, parameters, progress notes when applicable, and clinical application data.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste, and assist with maintaining a safe, clean environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and support the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and process improvement efforts.
Support infection control audits and adherence to infection control policies; reinforce infection control education for patients and families as permitted by state law.
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 and help patients understand home dialysis products, home treatment benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordinating the patient’s transition to their chosen modality, scheduling appropriate staff involvement, and ordering and tracking Transitional Care Unit supplies.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, review treatment sheets for completeness and signatures, and prepare laboratory requisitions.