Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Morgantown, WV

11d

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 organizational 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 Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities intended to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The PCT welcomes patients, assesses their condition and vascular access, obtains and records weights and vital signs, initiates and monitors prescribed dialysis treatments, responds to treatment concerns as directed, and evaluates patients before discharge. The role includes accurate treatment documentation, machine safety checks, specimen collection and preparation, cleaning and disinfection, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT may also assist with staff training under nurse supervision and support patient education as permitted by state law. 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, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with transition planning, supplies, and inventory. The work includes computer and desk tasks, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to organizational meetings may also be required. The healthcare facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct patient care involves regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, prolonged standing, bending, and occasionally pushing or pulling equipment. The employee may frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; assistive equipment, material-assist devices, and two-person assistance are available for heavier items. An Ishihara color blindness test is required as a condition of employment, but failing the test does not preclude employment; reasonable accommodations may 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.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including regular patient lifting and movement, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or lowering solutions as described.
Complete the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist 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 when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intradialytic, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required patient identification and evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess the patient before termination of venous access and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Record accurate and timely treatment information, vital signs, parameters, interventions, and patient responses in required treatment records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate and monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, conduct and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted or incorrect entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, support adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies and procedures, and reinforce 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 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 ensure disciplines are scheduled according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and available treatment options, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality, and help coordinate supply ordering and inventory.