Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Louisa, KY

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, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted, obtains vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors patient responses, and documents treatment information. The PCT reports changes in patient condition and unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor, responds to treatment issues as directed, obtains prescribed laboratory specimens, and supports infection control practices. The role also includes equipment and treatment-area preparation, machine checks and disinfection, accurate clinical recordkeeping, and assistance with training staff under nursing supervision. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care and modality transitions, demonstrates treatment options as appropriate, and assists with supply inventory. The position involves work in a health care facility, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. It may involve exposure to infectious materials, frequent prolonged standing, bending, and regular heavy lifting or moving of patients and supplies. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
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.
Demonstrate 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.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; assistance devices and a two-person assist program are available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up, operate, and perform safety checks on hemodialysis machines; conduct required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including standing and sitting blood pressure when discontinuing treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before termination and discharge.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment sheets, progress notes, and designated clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and support quality, patient satisfaction, and process improvement goals.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures are documented, and have omitted entries completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or 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 patient and family education as directed and 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 matters for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with coordination of 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 locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.