Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Enid, OK

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting patients during treatment, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and complying with organizational policies and applicable regulations. The PCT supports Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including process improvements intended to help patients meet quality goals. The position provides direct patient care, including assessing vascular access, initiating and monitoring dialysis treatments, obtaining vital signs and weights, documenting treatment information, responding to patient needs, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also performs machine safety checks, handles specimens and supplies, supports infection-control practices, and helps train applicable direct-care staff under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education as permitted by state law, coordinates care with appropriate staff, supports patients in understanding home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with transition planning and supply inventory. The work includes computer and desk tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials. Direct care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The role requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending, and may involve pushing or pulling equipment and lifting solutions. Reasonable accommodations may be considered for individuals with disabilities. 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.
Hold any state licensure and complete any education or training required for the role.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members in providing patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess 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 and weights, including pre- and post-dialysis evaluations and initial patient identification.
Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, and intervene as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures; assess patients before termination of venous access and before discharge; obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other treatment information accurately and promptly in required records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, provide appropriate intervention, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and follow facility 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.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required signatures and corrections are completed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts, compile paperwork, prepare or print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education for staff, patients, and families under the direction of the CM or designee, as permitted by state law.
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 permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and explain treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with coordinating transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, and support supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and customer service standards.