Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Edinburg, TX

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean working environment, and participates in the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and other process-improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, performs pre- and post-treatment assessments, obtains vital signs and weights, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, and initiates, monitors, and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures. The role includes programming treatment parameters, monitoring machine safety and patient response, addressing or reporting unusual findings, documenting treatments and interventions, collecting laboratory specimens, and maintaining supplies and equipment. The PCT also supports patient education, infection-control practices, staff training under nurse supervision, and transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients, including helping patients understand home dialysis and treatment options. The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Work may involve exposure to infectious materials, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement, and lifting or moving solutions and equipment. A high school diploma or GED is required. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification.

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 organization 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 described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient ambulation and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment.
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 a related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and other required evaluations, including initial patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Monitor patient response and machine safety during treatment; evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems as ordered or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess patients before termination of venous access and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Enable required safety alarms and perform machine safety checks, reporting changes and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, patient status, interventions and responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment sheets and clinical applications.
Report significant information and changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly and 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 safe, clean, and orderly work areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted or incorrect entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, and participate in patient and family infection-control education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted 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, coordinate visits with appropriate staff, and support patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate.
Assist with coordinating transitions to the patient's chosen modality and with transitional care unit supply ordering and inventory.