Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Port Allen, LA

12d•Onsite

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, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and related process-improvement activities. The PCT supports patients throughout dialysis treatment, including preparing for treatment, monitoring patients and equipment, responding to problems as directed, documenting care, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. Duties also include laboratory specimen collection and preparation, infection-control practices, equipment cleaning, and maintaining treatment records. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education under the direction of the care team as permitted by state law, helps coordinate care and transition to the patient's chosen modality, and supports supply and inventory needs.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet any 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 to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
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 duties that regularly involve heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions 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

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.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular-access evaluations, including patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients' responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed; document interventions and responses.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, obtain pre-reinfusion vital signs, assess patients before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Monitor vascular-access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Record accurate, timely treatment information, vital signs, treatment parameters, evaluations, and applicable progress notes; review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate nursing signatures.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN 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 surroundings.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm tests, including Pressure Holding Tests, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete and document ongoing participation in CQI activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and promptly.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for appropriate filing; prepare or print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under direction 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 as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and home dialysis; demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with coordination of transition to the patient's chosen modality, and help manage TCU supply ordering and inventory.