Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Talladega, AL

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 clean and safe work environment, and following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The PCT supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including patient-satisfaction and process-improvement efforts. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment: welcoming patients, assessing their wellbeing and vascular access, obtaining and recording weights and vital signs, initiating and monitoring prescribed treatments, responding to treatment issues as directed, discontinuing treatment, applying dressings, and assessing patients before discharge. The PCT documents treatment information, reports changes in patient condition to a nurse or supervisor, collects laboratory specimens, and monitors patients performing self-care under RN supervision. Additional duties include preparing and disinfecting equipment and treatment areas, performing required machine safety checks, supporting infection-control practices, maintaining patient charts and treatment records, and assisting with staff and patient education under the appropriate supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, and assists with equipment, supply, and inventory needs. The work involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians; desk and computer work; and travel between assigned facilities and other community locations. The environment is characteristic of a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and occasional pushing or pulling equipment. Employees must take the Ishihara color-vision test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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 as a condition of continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification as a condition of continued 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 the described physical duties, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and moving, and lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist in providing patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access before and during treatment, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and report unusual findings.
Obtain and document pre-, intradialytic, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including relevant standing and sitting blood pressure measurements.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient responses to dialysis, evaluate treatment problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document responses, and report significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and clinical application entries; review sheets for completeness and appropriate signatures.
Perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare, organize, 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 appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Support infection-control practices, assist with infection-control audit information gathering, and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families as directed and as permitted by state law.
Complete and document participation in CQI activities; prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
For the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care with appropriate staff.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients, support their understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assist with demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, coordinate transitions to patients' chosen modalities, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment and follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.