Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Racine, WI

4d•Onsite

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 and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, helping maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes. Dialysis-specific experience is not required; comprehensive on-the-job training is provided. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients during dialysis, performs authorized treatment and vascular-access tasks, records treatment information, identifies and reports changes in patient condition, and supports infection control and facility operations. The position also supports new patients in the Transitional Care Unit, including education and coordination related to treatment and modality options. The work includes desk and computer tasks as well as direct patient care, which regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The employee must stand for prolonged periods and bend; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment and frequent lifting of solutions are also required. The role may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required, and travel to regional, Business Unit, or corporate meetings may be required. The healthcare work environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise levels. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and frequent lifting of solutions.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access and perform cannulation and heparin administration when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular-access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatments according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, evaluate patients before discharge, and document treatment completion.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Record accurate, timely treatment parameters and patient information in treatment sheets and clinical applications; complete related documentation and progress notes as applicable.
Report significant information, changes in condition, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy; document interventions and patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, store them according to laboratory requirements, and ensure courier collection.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient-care staff under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for treatments, perform and document required machine alarm tests, including Pressure Holding Tests, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omitted entries are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts, compile and place paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection-control audits, follow infection-control policies, and support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices.
Reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under the direction of the Center Manager or designee, as allowed 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, liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate the patient experience and planned discipline visits, and assist patients in understanding home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, and assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.