Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Richmond, VA

3d•$15 - $22

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, helping maintain 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, performs pre- and post-treatment assessments, takes and records vital signs and weights, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment-related issues as directed. The role also includes documenting treatment information, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, conducting machine safety checks, cleaning and disinfecting equipment, and supporting infection-control practices. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports patients in understanding home dialysis and treatment options, assists with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and frequent standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet any 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; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Ability to perform the physical functions of the role, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment as described.
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

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Provide patient-specific education with other health care team members regarding adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
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, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Identify and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, assess patients before treatment termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, assessments, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange appropriate courier collection of specimens.
Clean blood spills immediately with 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 on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain safe and clean areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce infection-control education under the direction of the CM 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 information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate services, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, including assisting with demonstrations of peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordinating transitions to patients’ chosen modalities and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.