Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Moncks Corner, SC

11d

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organizational policies, procedures, and training and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. Responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines and helping maintain a safe, clean working environment. Supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvements intended to help patients achieve quality goals. Provides patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including welcoming patients, assessing their wellbeing and vascular access, obtaining weights and vital signs, initiating and monitoring prescribed treatments, addressing treatment concerns as directed, documenting care, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. Also performs assigned access and hemostasis tasks, collects laboratory specimens, monitors self-care patients under RN supervision, and assists with patient education and transitions to home or other dialysis modalities. Prepares and disinfects machines, equipment, chairs, and treatment areas; performs required machine and alarm checks; manages supplies; and follows infection-control and facility safety procedures. Completes treatment records and other clinical documentation, supports CQI and infection-control audits, and assists with staff training under nurse supervision. The role involves desk and computer work, interaction with patients and clinical staff, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to meetings. The work environment is a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious or contagious materials may occur. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing and bending, occasional pushing or pulling of equipment 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. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing it does not automatically preclude employment, and 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.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational 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 automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent standing and bending; lifting and moving patients; assisting with ambulation; and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment within the stated limits.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist healthcare team members in providing 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, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required assessments before treatment, before reinfusion, and before discharge.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and perform machine safety checks and required alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, evaluate patients before discharge, and document treatment completion.
Record accurate and timely vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, patient responses, and other treatment information in required records and clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste, and clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, ethical practices, and infection-control policies; support patient and staff adherence and assist with infection-control audits and education as directed.
Maintain safe and clean treatment areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS), and document required preparation tasks.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on missing or corrected entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure laboratory specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
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 as allowed by state law, and coordinate with relevant staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.