Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Thomasville, AL

6d•Onsite

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, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, obtains and documents pre-, during-, and post-treatment measurements, evaluates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to patient or machine-related concerns as directed. The role also includes preparing laboratory specimens, documenting treatment information, maintaining equipment and supplies, supporting infection-control practices, and assisting with patient education and staff training under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, assists patients in understanding home dialysis options, performs treatments on unit machines, and helps with supply ordering and 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 includes frequent standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and handling dialysis solutions and equipment. Employees must take an Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
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; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Ability to perform the physical functions described, including frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and handling solutions and equipment.
Take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required measurements before reinfusion and discharge.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis-machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis and evaluate intradialytic problems; provide interventions as prescribed or directed and document patient responses.
Discontinue treatments according to established procedures, assess patients before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant and prepare and organize supplies and equipment to avoid waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under a nurse’s supervision.
Maintain safe and clean work areas and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted or incorrect entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, and participate in patient and family infection-control education under the direction of the Center Manager or designee, as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients and liaise with appropriate staff to support patient experience and scheduling 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 unit supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.