Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Glendale, WI

8d•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 follows organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supports Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and monitoring treatments, responding to treatment-related concerns, documenting care, and reporting changes in patient condition. It also involves laboratory specimen handling, infection-control practices, equipment preparation and disinfection, patient education support, and assistance with training applicable direct-care staff under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care and appointments with appropriate staff, helps patients understand treatment options and home dialysis, and assists with transition to the patient's chosen modality. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may also be required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness Test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the stated physical duties, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, assisting with ambulation, and lifting solutions and equipment within the described weight limits.

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 last treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, cannulate vascular access, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations, and conduct relevant post-treatment evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patients' responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform treatment discontinuation procedures, obtain vital signs before reinfusion, evaluate patients before termination and discharge, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, patient evaluations, interventions, responses, progress notes when applicable, and other patient treatment information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment and intervene, document, and report unusual findings as appropriate.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted or incorrect entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and support patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee 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, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary visits, and help patients understand home dialysis products and options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with demonstrations of peritoneal dialysis setup and other treatment options.
Assist with coordinating transitions to the patient's chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.