Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Tarboro, NC

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 involves setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, following organizational policies and applicable regulations, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient outcomes and satisfaction. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients before, during, and after dialysis; assesses vascular access; performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration as permitted; initiates and discontinues treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures; monitors treatment response and machine safety; and documents treatment information accurately. The position also includes obtaining and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining infection-control practices, cleaning and preparing equipment, and supporting patient education and transitional dialysis care. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, supports patients’ understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, assists with modality transitions, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The work involves direct patient care in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Employees may encounter infectious materials and moderate noise, and the role regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and handling equipment and solutions. A high school diploma or GED is required. State- or CMS-approved certification requirements must be met within the applicable timeline, and continued employment depends on successfully completing the dialysis training program and CPR certification.

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 for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for 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 direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation, with equipment or coworker assistance available.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of 5 feet; a two-person assist program and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Provide or reinforce patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy, disease processes, vascular access, infection control, and treatment options as permitted by state law.
Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required evaluations before treatment, before reinfusion, and before discharge.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings, and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling into machine programming.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform and document treatment discontinuation, assess patients before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing.
Record treatment parameters and patient information accurately and promptly on treatment sheets and in designated clinical applications; complete applicable progress notes and intervention documentation.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection 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.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage; maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits; follow and reinforce infection-control policies and practices.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, 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.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required.