Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Joplin, MO

4d

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, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and contributing to quality improvement activities focused on patient outcomes and satisfaction. The PCT follows organization policies and procedures, applicable regulations, and required training.

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 for continued employment.
• Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
• 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 regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assist with ambulation, with equipment or coworker assistance available.
• Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
• Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and record pre-, intradialytic, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform patient and vascular-access evaluations.
• Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
• Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
• Monitor patients’ response to treatment, identify problems or unusual findings, perform appropriate interventions, document patient responses, and report changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Perform machine safety checks and monitor vascular access pressures during treatment.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, arrange their collection, and follow laboratory handling requirements.
• Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
• Prepare 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 under nurse supervision.
• Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain a safe and clean environment.
• Conduct dialysis-treatment preparation tasks, perform required 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 and help ensure records are complete and corrected by appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and collect and store laboratory samples as required.
• Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under direction and as permitted by state law.
• For 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, help them understand home dialysis products and benefits, and support understanding of treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
• Coordinate staff visits according to the patient’s care plan and assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
• Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED