Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Gloucester, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the 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, and applicable state and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and supports quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted by state law, and carries out dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders. Responsibilities include taking and documenting vital signs and weights, programming and checking machines, monitoring patients and vascular access during treatment, responding to problems as directed, discontinuing treatment, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also collects and prepares laboratory specimens, completes treatment records, and supports 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 the appropriate staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, and supports transition to the patient’s chosen modality. The position involves direct patient care, frequent standing and bending, lifting and moving patients and supplies, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Successful continued employment depends on completing the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Meet the physical requirements of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and lifting solutions and supplies.
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 is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up, operate, test, and clean hemodialysis machines and related equipment, including performing required alarm testing and initiating the Solution Delivery System.
Welcome patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and evaluations; monitor patients’ responses to dialysis therapy.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures; calculate and enter prescribed machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals and treatment time.
Observe patients, perform machine safety checks, identify treatment problems or unusual findings, provide interventions as directed, document patient responses, and report significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, clinical application entries, progress notes where applicable, and quality improvement records; review treatment sheets for completeness and correct omissions through appropriate staff.
Prepare patient charts and laboratory requisitions and organize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.
Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
Support infection-control audits, practices, and patient and family education under the direction of the care manager or designee.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision and monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care with relevant staff.
Reinforce education for new patients, help them understand home dialysis products and treatment options, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with transition to their selected modality.
Support Transitional Care Unit treatment setup, supply ordering, and inventory.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and follow organizational business policies, procedures, ethical practices, and customer service standards.