Patient Care Technician -PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Columbus, OH

12d•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, as well as applicable state and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and clinical goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and monitoring treatment, recording treatment information, responding to patient needs, and preparing patients for discharge. It also involves specimen collection, infection-control practices, documentation, equipment cleaning, and support for patients transitioning to dialysis care or considering home dialysis modalities. The clinic is located at 393 E Town St, Suite 111, Columbus, Ohio 43215. The listed clinic schedule is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM; Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM; and closed Sunday. The posting describes rotating shifts of four 10-hour shifts or three 12-hour shifts.

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.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and assisting with patient lifting, movement, and ambulation.
Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment requiring up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Employees are required 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 is preferred.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Provide patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, assess intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform and document the procedures required to discontinue treatment.
Evaluate patients before treatment termination and discharge; obtain standing and sitting blood pressure readings, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct machine safety checks.
Accurately and promptly document vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, patient responses, and other required treatment information.
Report significant information, changes in condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using the facility-approved disinfectant and follow facility infection-control policies.
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.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document as required, conduct pretreatment machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Tests, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate signatures or corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education for patients and families as directed and permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate staff appointments according to the care plan, and help patients understand home dialysis products and options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as applicable, and help coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.