Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Hancock, WV

13d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician 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 the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) goals. The PCT supports patients throughout dialysis treatment, including preparing and monitoring treatment, evaluating vascular access, documenting clinical information, responding to patient status changes, and communicating findings to nursing staff. The role also supports patient education, infection control, laboratory specimen handling, staff training, and the care of newly admitted patients in the Transitional Care Unit. Work includes patient interaction and computer and desk tasks, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to organizational meetings. The healthcare facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious materials. The job involves frequent prolonged standing, bending, and regular heavy lifting or moving of patients, with assistance or devices available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara color blindness test; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may 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 completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on completion.
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 the role’s physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies; assistance and devices may be available.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members in providing patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures; monitor patient response and address intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Record accurate and timely treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and other patient information in the required treatment sheets and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Conduct machine safety checks, obtain prescribed laboratory tests, and prepare specimens for collection.
Clean blood spills and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas according to facility policy.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment, monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision, and help prevent supply wastage.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain a safe and clean environment.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and help ensure documentation corrections are made by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, collect and label specimens, prepare and store samples to laboratory specifications, and ensure courier collection.
Assist with infection control audits and support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices; reinforce infection control education for patients and families under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate with facility staff to support the patient experience, and help patients understand home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and help coordinate supply ordering and inventory.