Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Rio Rancho, NM

14d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of the dialysis health care team, providing 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 working environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities intended to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient and vascular-access assessment, cannulation, treatment initiation and discontinuation, monitoring, vital-sign and weight measurement, hemostasis, documentation, and escalation of significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also prepares and processes laboratory specimens, maintains equipment and treatment areas, supports infection-control practices, and contributes to patient education and staff training under appropriate supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with relevant staff, supports patient understanding of treatment and home-dialysis options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality and with supply inventory. The work includes desk and computer duties, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. The health care facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious or contagious materials may occur. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and handling supplies and equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be considered for essential functions. Employees must take the 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 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 preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the stated physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient handling and ambulation assistance, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment within the specified limits, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their prior treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and conduct required patient evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and report significant information or changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform treatment reinfusion and discontinuation procedures, assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, observe patients, conduct machine safety checks, and report unusual findings.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment sheets, progress notes, and clinical applications.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills immediately using appropriate disinfectant and prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe, clean, and orderly work areas.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, conduct and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on missing or corrected entries 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, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control procedures, and support patient and family education 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 matters for new patients as allowed by state law; liaise with staff to support the patient experience and scheduling of disciplines according to the care plan.
Support patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; 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.