Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Grayson, 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. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and complying with organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The technician contributes to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including initiatives related to patient satisfaction and process improvement. The PCT welcomes patients, assesses their wellbeing, monitors vascular access and patient response to treatment, and performs dialysis treatment tasks in accordance with prescribed orders and applicable supervision or state law. Duties include taking and recording weights and vital signs, initiating and discontinuing treatment, responding to intradialytic problems as directed, documenting treatment data, collecting laboratory specimens, and promptly reporting significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes preparing and disinfecting equipment and treatment areas, performing machine safety checks, maintaining supplies, supporting infection-control practices, assisting with staff and patient education under appropriate supervision, and completing clinical records. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, assists patients in understanding treatment options, and supports transition to the patient’s chosen modality. The position involves direct patient care and work in a health care facility, with travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meeting travel may also be required. The work environment may involve exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Reasonable accommodations may be considered for employees with disabilities; employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment, but failing it does not automatically preclude employment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required 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; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending over.
Ability to lift and move patients and assist with ambulation; equipment or coworkers may provide assistance.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with 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; two-person assistance and material-assist devices 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 as part of the health care team under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess 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, and perform relevant patient evaluations before, during, and after treatment.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures, including setting treatment parameters and machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling.
Check safety alarms, observe patients, conduct machine safety checks, and evaluate patients’ responses to dialysis therapy.
Identify intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed by physician order or as directed; document interventions and patient responses.
Document treatment parameters and patient information accurately and promptly, including Hemodialysis Treatment Sheets, progress notes where applicable, and clinical application entries.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare requisitions, collect and label specimens, prepare and store samples according to laboratory specifications, and ensure courier collection.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and follow infection-control policies and procedures; support infection-control practices and audits and reinforce related patient and family education under appropriate direction.
Complete and document ongoing participation in CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omissions or corrections are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for placement in patient records.
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 as allowed by state law, and liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduling of disciplines.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup, 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 locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required.