Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Meridian, ID

2d•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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and outcomes. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, performs vascular-access assessments and cannulation, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment issues as directed. The role includes machine safety checks and programming, documentation of treatment and patient information, specimen collection and preparation, and reporting patient changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also assists with staff training and infection-control practices. 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, supports patients in understanding home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with modality transitions, supplies, and inventory. The position involves direct patient care, regular lifting and moving of patients, frequent prolonged standing and bending, and travel between assigned facilities and other locations in the community. The work takes place in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required 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 to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Pass 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 involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular-access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient responses during treatment, intervene as prescribed or directed, document interventions and responses, and report significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, evaluate patients before discharge, and complete treatment documentation.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas according to facility policy.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment while preventing wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and follow organization policies, procedures, ethical business practices, and infection-control requirements.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing or omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and coordinate specimen pickup by the appropriate courier.
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 Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate with facility staff to support the patient experience, and help patients understand home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations, and coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.