Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Cape Girardeau, MO

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician 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 environment, and participating in quality improvement and patient-satisfaction activities in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, prepares them for treatment, evaluates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment issues as directed. Duties include measuring and documenting vital signs and weights, programming treatment parameters, monitoring machine safety and patient response, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes cleaning and disinfecting equipment and treatment areas, maintaining treatment records, and supporting infection-control practices. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, supports patients in understanding treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with transition to the patient's selected modality. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and physical work including frequent standing, bending, lifting, and assisting with patient movement.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Hold any applicable state licensure and complete required education and training.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on completion.
Be able to meet the physical demands of the position, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment as described in the posting.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required identification and vascular-access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings, and calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform required treatment discontinuation and reinfusion procedures, assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and other patient-care information accurately and promptly in the designated records and clinical application.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
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 and ethical practices, maintain a safe and clean environment, prepare machines and treatment areas, complete required alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required corrections or omitted entries are handled by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and support patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed 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 scheduled disciplines, and help patients understand home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate.
Assist with coordination of transition to the patient's chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.