Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Baton Rouge, LA

12d

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 corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT 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 Enhancement Program (QEP) goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout treatment, assesses vascular access, obtains pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis as ordered, responds to treatment issues as directed, and documents patient status and treatment details. The role includes machine safety checks, prescribed laboratory specimen collection and preparation, maintaining supplies and equipment, and reporting changes in patient condition or unusual findings to a nurse or supervisor. The position also supports staff training, infection control, continuous quality improvement, and patient education within the limits of applicable law. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate the first four weeks of dialysis care for new patients, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, and assists with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality. The work includes desk and computer tasks, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required. The setting is a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise. Exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials may occur. Patient care involves frequent, prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation. The employee may also push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower solutions up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline and complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification to continue employment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the timeline required by the state or CMS.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
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 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 is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education support, including education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and within state law.
Welcome assigned patients and ask 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- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations, using initial identification as required.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed; document interventions and patient responses.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion; discontinue treatment according to established procedures; assess the patient before termination of venous access, including standing and sitting blood pressure; obtain hemostasis and apply dressings; and evaluate the patient before discharge.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, patient assessments, and other treatment information accurately and promptly in the required records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and intervene, document, and report unusual findings as needed.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and 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 a safe, clean, and orderly environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document tasks where appropriate, complete required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required nursing signatures and corrections are completed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and support patient and family infection-control education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by 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, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary visits, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit; assist with treatment-option education, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup; and help coordinate transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with supply ordering and inventory for the Transitional Care Unit.