Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Portland, OR

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvement goals. The Patient Care Technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration as permitted, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, monitors patient response, and addresses treatment issues as directed. The technician programs treatment parameters, performs machine safety checks, documents care, reports changes in patient condition, obtains laboratory specimens, and supports patients performing self-care under RN supervision. The role also includes preparing and disinfecting treatment areas and equipment; maintaining records and laboratory documentation; participating in infection-control activities; assisting with staff training under nurse supervision; and supporting newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis in the Transitional Care Unit. Transitional care duties include reinforcing education, coordinating appointments and modality transitions, explaining home dialysis options, preparing and operating machines, and helping manage supplies and inventory. Work includes desk and computer tasks, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious or contagious materials may occur. Direct patient care involves frequent heavy lifting and moving patients, prolonged standing, bending, occasional pushing or pulling of equipment, and frequent lifting of solutions up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failure 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 required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent heavy lifting and moving of patients, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.
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 dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and document patient responses.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, document findings, and report unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes where applicable, and clinical application data.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
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 environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, conduct required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Complete and document participation in CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing or incorrect entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for placement in the chart; prepare and print laboratory requisitions as needed.
Assist with infection-control audits, support 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.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled interdisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with coordination of transition 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.
Comply with organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, culture, values, and customer service standards.