Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Salisbury, MD

10d•$14 - $21

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and other delegated tasks, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors patient response, documents treatment information, and reports changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also includes laboratory specimen handling, infection-control practices, equipment cleaning and safety checks, and record keeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate newly admitted patients’ first four weeks of dialysis and supports education about treatment and home dialysis options. Clinic operating hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Shifts are 10 or 12 hours, Saturdays rotate, and employees must be able to report to work as early as 4:00 a.m. The role involves travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and may require travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur. The position involves direct patient care, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and handling supplies and equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Must be able to work 10- or 12-hour shifts, rotating Saturdays, and report as early as 4:00 a.m.
Must be able to travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Must be able to meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform vascular access cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits.
Monitor patients and their response to dialysis, conduct machine safety checks, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate and address intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, document interventions, and record patients’ responses.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, evaluate patients before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and complete the required pre- and post-dialysis evaluations and treatment documentation.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant and maintain infection-control practices.
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 a safe, clean, and orderly environment, and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare machines for treatment, perform required pretreatment alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on missing or corrected entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for routine or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, and support infection-control education for patients and families as directed and 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 matters 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 plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Assist with coordination of transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.