Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Fayetteville, NC

13d

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 organizational procedures and applicable regulations. The technician contributes to quality improvement activities and patient satisfaction goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, cannulation, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patients and equipment, responding to treatment-related issues, documenting care, and reporting significant changes to a nurse or supervisor. The PCT also collects and prepares laboratory specimens, supports infection-control practices, maintains equipment and treatment areas, and completes required clinical records. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician helps coordinate the dialysis care of newly admitted patients during their first four weeks, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, helps coordinate transitions to a chosen modality, and assists with supplies and inventory. The role 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.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Obtain all applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program as a condition of continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification as a condition of continued employment.
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 regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation, with equipment or coworker assistance available.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with 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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up, operate, and perform required safety checks on hemodialysis machines, including pretreatment alarm testing and Pressure Holding Testing (PHT).
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including standing and sitting blood pressures when required.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, including calculating and entering machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL).
Monitor patients' responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate patients before discharge and obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings after treatment.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and clinical application entries.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange appropriate courier collection of specimens.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly facility areas and support infection-control practices, audits, and patient and family education as directed.
Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission and prepare or print laboratory requisitions as needed.
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 information for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduling of disciplines.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Assist with coordination of transitions to patients' selected modalities, and support TCU supply ordering and inventory.