Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Balch Springs, TX

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, helping maintain a safe and clean environment, and supporting quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities that promote patient satisfaction and quality goals. The technician welcomes patients, monitors their condition and response to treatment, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, obtains and documents vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment issues as directed. The role includes programming treatment parameters, monitoring safety alarms and machine function, documenting care, reporting changes in patient condition, collecting laboratory specimens, and supporting patients performing self-care under RN supervision. Additional duties include preparing and disinfecting equipment and treatment areas, following infection-control practices, assisting with staff and patient education, and completing clinical records and quality-improvement documentation. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, demonstrates treatment equipment and options, and assists with supply inventory and ordering. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and work in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise. Exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials may occur. Physical work includes frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients; lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally; and occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, as reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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 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 automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the described physical functions, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, direct patient care involving heavy lifting and moving patients, frequent lifting of solutions up to 30 pounds, occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet, and occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
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 ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and observe patients while conducting machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess patients before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Record timely and accurate vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, patient responses, and other treatment information in required records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange appropriate courier collection of specimens.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for placement in the chart.
Prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens according to laboratory destination.
Assist with infection-control audit information gathering and reinforce infection-control practices and education for patients and families as directed and permitted by state law.
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.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.