Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Antioch, CA

15d•$25 - $29

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) is part of a dialysis health care team and provides safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, along with 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 improvement and patient satisfaction activities. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, cannulating access, monitoring patient condition and vital signs, initiating and discontinuing treatment, responding to problems, documenting treatment details, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also prepares and processes laboratory specimens, maintains equipment and infection-control practices, and supports staff training under nurse supervision. For Transitional Care Unit patients, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and helps coordinate transitions to the patient's chosen modality. Work includes computer and desk tasks, interaction with patients and care teams, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The healthcare work environment may involve exposure to infectious materials. Direct care regularly includes lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation, along with frequent standing and bending.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable 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.
Take 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 frequent, prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as 5 feet.

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 previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate patients before, during, and after treatment.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine parameters, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Enable required safety alarms and perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing.
Monitor patients' responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed interventions, and report unusual findings or changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access and arterial and venous pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, and document and report findings.
Document treatment information accurately and promptly on treatment sheets and in the designated clinical application.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, and ensure their storage and collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Clean blood spills and clean and disinfect 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 RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient-care staff under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits, and reinforce infection-control practices and education.
Prepare initial patient charts and laboratory requisitions, and review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate corrections.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education for new patients, coordinate staff involvement in the care plan, and help patients understand home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with transitions to the patient's chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.