Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Monroe, LA

14d

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician follows organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment, assesses vascular access, obtains vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures, responds to treatment concerns as directed, and documents patient status and treatment details. The role also includes laboratory specimen collection and preparation, machine safety checks, infection-control support, and accurate clinical record keeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education as allowed by state law, coordinates with facility staff, and supports patients in understanding treatment options and home dialysis. The position involves direct patient care, regular lifting and moving of patients, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and travel between assigned facilities and other locations in the community. The work environment is that of a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations in 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.

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their well-being since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, during-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including access evaluations and patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling as prescribed.
Evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures; obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate the patient before termination and discharge.
Enable appropriate machine safety alarms, conduct machine safety checks, and perform required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing (PHT).
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in the required records and clinical application.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange for courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe, clean, and orderly areas.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Conduct and document tasks necessary to prepare for dialysis treatment, including initiating the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities and complete related documentation.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected 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, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow applicable policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the Center Manager or designee as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and planned discipline visits, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit; demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup and assist patients in understanding treatment options.
Assist with coordination of transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.