Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Louisburg, NC

12d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, helping maintain a safe and clean environment, and supporting the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), patient satisfaction, and process-improvement activities. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and other delegated treatment tasks, and initiates, monitors, and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures. The technician obtains and records patient weights, vital signs, treatment parameters, and other required documentation; monitors patient responses and machine safety; reports changes or unusual findings to a nurse or supervisor; and collects and prepares laboratory specimens. The position also includes preparing and disinfecting treatment areas and equipment, maintaining supplies, supporting infection-control practices, participating in audits and quality activities, and assisting with staff training under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate care and education for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, supports their understanding of treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with transition planning and inventory. Work involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians, as well as travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The healthcare environment may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The position includes frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or moving solutions and equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

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 and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
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 functions described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and other items as specified in the posting.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy as part of the healthcare team under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required access evaluations and patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis-machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide prescribed or directed interventions.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, obtain required vital signs, achieve hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Record treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, patient-condition changes, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular-access pressures and intervene, document, and report findings as appropriate.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
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.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis, conduct required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omissions or corrections 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, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow applicable policies, and reinforce patient and family education under appropriate direction.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit 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 staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home-dialysis products and 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.