Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Temple, TX

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, helping maintain a safe and clean environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients during dialysis, performs pre- and post-treatment assessments, obtains vital signs and weights, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, initiates and discontinues treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment issues as directed. The technician documents treatment data, reports changes in patient condition, performs machine safety checks, collects laboratory specimens, and prepares and maintains supplies and equipment. The position also includes assisting with staff training, infection-control activities, and care coordination and education for newly admitted patients in the Transitional Care Unit. Work takes place in a health care facility and includes patient interaction, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and physical patient-care duties.

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 and 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.
Able to perform the physical demands of the position, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; may occasionally push or pull equipment requiring up to 15 pounds of force. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items.
Able to travel between assigned facilities and locations within 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

Assist health care team members in educating patients about adequacy measures, the disease process, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including the required patient identification and vascular access evaluation.
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 intradialytic problems, intervene as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform pre-reinfusion vital signs and the procedures needed to discontinue treatment; assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Enable appropriate safety alarms, conduct machine safety checks, and monitor vascular access pressures during treatment; document and report unusual findings.
Complete accurate and timely treatment records, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, vital signs, parameters, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse 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 and clean work areas.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness and required corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
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 allowed 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 information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary visits, and help patients understand home dialysis products and options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstrations of peritoneal dialysis setup and treatment options, and help coordinate transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.