Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Kingman, AZ

13d

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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including process improvement related to patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient support before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing prescribed treatments, monitoring treatment response, recording vital signs and treatment information, responding to unusual findings, and reporting changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also prepares and handles laboratory specimens, maintains equipment and supplies, follows infection-control practices, and completes treatment and patient records. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality. The role involves computer and desk work, interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work takes place in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required 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 will be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Provide or reinforce patient-specific education, including information about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and permitted by state law.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, during-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform required patient and vascular-access assessments.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and document patient responses.
Monitor vascular access and treatment pressures, provide appropriate intervention, and document and report unusual findings.
Report significant information or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and maintain infection-control practices.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment to support treatment and prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Complete and document participation in CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and documented nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, and support infection-control education for patients and families as directed.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Coordinate with appropriate staff so patients receive services according to their care plan and have a positive patient experience.
Help patients understand home-dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, and ethical business practices.