Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•South Haven, MI

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician 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, assisting with a safe and clean working environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. Duties must follow organizational policies and procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates and cannulates vascular access as permitted, takes pre- and post-treatment measurements, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures, monitors treatment response, and documents patient care and treatment parameters. The role also includes responding to treatment issues, reporting changes in patient condition, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and supplies, and supporting infection control practices. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with transition to the patient's chosen modality. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and work in a health care facility that may expose employees to infectious or contagious materials. Physical requirements include frequent standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or moving solutions and equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must 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; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment as described.
May be required to travel between assigned facilities and community locations; 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 is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and access as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency and cannulate access; administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required patient identification and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients' response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, document responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document, intervene, and report unusual findings as appropriate.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain a safe and clean environment.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, complete required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; enter treatment data accurately and on time.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures and omitted or corrected entries are addressed by 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 as directed.
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 as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and planned discipline visits.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, home dialysis benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.