Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Ottawa, IL

5d•$14 - $23

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 corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and participates in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The position provides direct patient care before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include assessing vascular access, taking vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders, monitoring patients and equipment, documenting treatment information, reporting changes in patient condition, and collecting laboratory specimens. The PCT also assists with patient education, staff training, infection control, and, where applicable, transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients. The work includes desk and computer tasks, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The setting is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur. The role involves frequent standing and bending, lifting and moving patients, and handling supplies and solutions. The employer requires an Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment, while noting that failure 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 required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated 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.
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 described physical functions, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient assistance and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions and supplies.

Nice To Haves

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

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 previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, assess intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and document patient response.
Perform pre- and post-treatment evaluations, including relevant blood pressure measurements, and assess patients before discharge.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings after treatment.
Record vital signs and treatment parameters accurately and promptly on treatment sheets and in designated clinical applications; complete applicable progress notes.
Observe patients and perform machine safety checks; report changes, unusual findings, or significant patient information to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using 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 a nurse’s supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe and clean areas.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document required tasks, perform pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing or corrected entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission and placement in the chart.
Prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens according to laboratory destination.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and support patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
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 matters for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and the peritoneal dialysis setup through demonstration.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with coordination of transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.