Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Lubbock, TX

3d•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, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The technician supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including initiatives related to patient satisfaction and process improvement. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients before, during, and after dialysis; assesses vascular access; performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted; initiates and discontinues treatments according to orders and procedures; records treatment information; and reports changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also includes preparing and handling laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and treatment areas, supporting infection-control practices, and assisting with patient education and staff training under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. The job involves direct patient care, regular lifting and moving of patients, frequent standing and bending, and travel between assigned facilities and other locations in the community. The work environment is a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious 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; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
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 the physical demands of the role, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and handling solutions and equipment.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

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, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre-, during-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and complete patient evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, provide interventions as directed or prescribed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly in the required records and clinical application.
Perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Support patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, vascular access, treatment options, and home dialysis as permitted by state law and under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and help coordinate transitional care and appointments across disciplines.
Assist patients in understanding home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and coordinate transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.
Participate in CQI activities and infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, and follow organizational infection-control policies and procedures.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare or print laboratory requisitions, and review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate corrections.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and customer service standards.