Patient Care Technician- PCT- Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Wyomissing, PA

16d

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, 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 achievement of organizational quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including obtaining weights and vital signs, evaluating and cannulating vascular access as permitted, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders, monitoring patients and equipment, responding to treatment concerns, documenting care, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also collects and prepares laboratory specimens, supports infection control, maintains treatment areas and equipment, and assists with patient education and staff training under appropriate supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and transition to the patient's chosen modality, supports understanding of home dialysis options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with supplies and inventory. The role involves desk and computer work, interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work environment is a temperature-controlled health care facility with moderate noise and possible exposure to infectious materials. Direct care regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting solutions and equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet 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.
Ability to perform the described essential functions, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally; reasonable accommodations may be made.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record 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 patient machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients' response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide prescribed or directed interventions.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to procedures, assess patients before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and perform and document pre- and post-dialysis evaluations.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and other patient treatment information accurately and promptly; complete treatment sheets and applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, document findings, and report concerns.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, perform 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 accurately and promptly into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimen collection by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection control audits, support adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family infection control 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 scheduled care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with transition to the patient's modality choice.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.