Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•University City, MO

10d•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 follows organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable state and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to orders and procedures, monitoring patients and machine safety, documenting treatment information, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. It also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, supporting infection control, maintaining treatment areas and equipment, and assisting with staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with modality transitions and supply inventory. The job involves work in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and may include travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings. Work includes computer and desk tasks, patient and staff interaction, exposure to infectious or contagious materials, and frequent physical activity, including standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Must 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 direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending, and regular heavy lifting or moving of patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations within the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

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 previous treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform interventions as prescribed or directed, and document responses.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and report unusual findings.
Record accurate and timely vital signs, treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, and other patient treatment information.
Report significant information or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
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.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with 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.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Enter treatment data into the designated clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness, signatures, and required corrections by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist in collecting information for infection control audits, follow infection control policies, and support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
Reinforce infection control education for patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with supply ordering and inventory for the Transitional Care Unit.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and customer service standards.