Will train PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Birmingham, AL

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 involves setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. Training is provided. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients before, during, and after treatment; evaluates vascular access; performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration when permitted; initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures; and records treatment data and patient responses. The role includes monitoring machine safety and patient condition, reporting significant changes to a nurse or supervisor, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining infection-control practices, and cleaning and preparing equipment between treatments. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports new patients during their first four weeks of dialysis by reinforcing education, coordinating care with facility staff, helping patients understand treatment options and home dialysis, preparing and operating unit machines, and assisting with transition to the patient’s chosen modality. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations and may require travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The work takes place in a health care facility and includes direct patient care, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
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 the described physical functions, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; assisting with patient lifting, moving, and ambulation; and frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as 5 feet. Equipment or coworker assistance may be available.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in 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 last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required patient identification and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide and document interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform treatment reinfusion and discontinuation procedures, evaluate patients before treatment termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Record accurate and timely treatment parameters and patient information on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and in the designated clinical application; complete progress notes when applicable.
Report significant patient information, changes, unusual findings, and vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Conduct patient and machine safety checks and document interventions and patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens; prepare lab requisitions as required.
Clean blood spills 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 nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, ethical business practices, and infection-control practices; help maintain a safe and clean environment.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate signatures and corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for placement in charts.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under direction and 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 information for new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Assist in coordinating transition to the patient’s chosen modality and support TCU supply ordering and inventory.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.