Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Martinsville, VA

10d•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 organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable state and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality improvement activities intended to support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patients and equipment, responding to problems as directed, documenting treatment information, and reporting changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. Duties also include collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, supporting infection-control practices, maintaining treatment areas and equipment, and assisting with patient and staff education. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, coordinates care with facility staff, reinforces education about treatment and modality options, assists with demonstrations and transitions to a chosen modality, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The work takes place in a health care facility and includes interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians, as well as travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The role may involve exposure to infectious materials, frequent standing and bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and lifting solutions and equipment. The position requires successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification for continued employment.

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.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment times, and modeling, and ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform and document patient evaluations and interventions, including assessment before discharge and before termination of venous access.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, conduct and document required pretreatment machine alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Enter treatment data accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on missing or corrected entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce patient and family education 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 with appropriate staff.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients and help assure their understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and options.
Perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate.
Assist with coordination of the patient’s transition to their chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.