Patient Care Technician- PCT- Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Upper Darby, PA

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 and training, as well as applicable 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 goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including welcoming patients, assessing their wellbeing and vascular access, obtaining weights and vital signs, initiating and monitoring prescribed treatments, responding to problems as directed, documenting treatment information, and preparing patients for discharge. The PCT also handles prescribed laboratory testing and specimens, helps monitor patients performing self-care, supports staff training under nurse supervision, and follows infection-control procedures. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, assists with transitions to a chosen modality, and supports supply inventory and ordering. The work includes desk and computer tasks, interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The health care setting has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct care regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving supplies and equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made. Employees must take the Ishihara color blindness test; failing it does not preclude employment, and 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.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; regular heavy lifting and moving of patients; assisting with ambulation; occasional pushing or pulling with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Equipment, coworkers, a two-person assist program, and material-assist devices may help with heavier items.
Take 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 education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights, vital signs, and vascular-access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Monitor patient response and intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures; obtain required vital signs, assess patients before termination and discharge, achieve hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient and machine safety checks.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly; report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, store samples as required, and coordinate collection by the laboratory courier.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse 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.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis, perform and document required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by the appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients and liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate care and scheduled visits.
Help patients understand home-dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of transitions to the patient's chosen treatment modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.