Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Little Rock, AR

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) 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, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted, obtains and documents vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues prescribed dialysis treatments, monitors treatment response, and responds to patient or machine-related concerns according to orders and facility procedures. The role also includes calculating and programming treatment parameters, completing accurate treatment records, collecting laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and supplies, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. Additional duties include helping train direct patient care staff under nurse supervision, following infection-control policies, participating in quality and infection-control activities, and supporting patients and families with education as permitted by state law. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care and appointments with appropriate staff, helps patients understand treatment options including home dialysis, and assists with supplies and inventory. The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Work includes computer and desk tasks, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting patients with mobility, and frequent lifting and lowering of solutions. Employees may be exposed to infectious materials and 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.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required 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 the physical demands of the role, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient mobility, and lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.
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.

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 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 permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including vascular access evaluations and patient identification.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Check and enable required machine safety alarms, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing.
Monitor patient response to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, intervene as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, evaluate patients before discharge, and document treatment and interventions accurately and promptly.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens in accordance with laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; immediately clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare, organize, and efficiently use supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and complete tasks necessary to prepare for dialysis treatments, including initiating the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and review treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork; prepare laboratory requisitions and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, and provide infection-control education to patients and families under appropriate direction.
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, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure visits are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of transition to the patient’s chosen modality and help manage Transitional Care Unit supplies and inventory.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.