Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Cheyenne, WY

21d

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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable state and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and achievement of organizational quality goals. The PCT supports patients before, during, and after dialysis treatments by assessing and monitoring their condition, performing treatment procedures within the scope of delegation and applicable state law, documenting treatment information, and promptly reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also includes laboratory specimen handling, infection-control practices, preparation and maintenance of equipment, and clinical recordkeeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, and supports patients in understanding home dialysis options. Training is provided. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.

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.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Pass the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform frequent, prolonged standing and bend over.
Ability to perform direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet, with assistance or material-assist devices available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Provide patient-specific education with other health care team members, including education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including initial patient identification and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document patient responses.
Monitor patients’ response to therapy and report significant information, condition changes, or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and other patient treatment information accurately and promptly in the required records and clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange delivery of laboratory specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and follow infection-control policies and procedures.
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.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain safe and clean facility areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for treatments, complete required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on missing or corrected entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions as needed.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education for 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 dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as allowed by state law, and liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions to the patient’s selected modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.