Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Moncks Corner, SC

12d

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 supports quality improvement and patient satisfaction initiatives. The position provides direct patient care before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures, monitoring patient responses, documenting treatment information, and reporting significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also supports laboratory specimen collection, infection-control practices, patient education, and staff training under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate new patients’ first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, and assists with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities. The role also involves preparing and maintaining equipment and supplies, completing required records, and participating in continuous quality improvement activities. The work includes computer and desk duties, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The environment is that of a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials may occur. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and handling solutions and equipment. The employer states that accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must have any state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
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 role’s physical demands, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and handling solutions weighing up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally; equipment or coworker assistance is available for heavier items.
Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since the previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings.
Assess and address intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patients’ responses to therapy, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, evaluate patients before and after treatment, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment records and clinical applications.
Monitor patients’ vascular access and treatment pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Observe patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe and clean areas.
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 Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted or incorrect entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow relevant policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the clinical manager or designee as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions to their 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 community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required.