Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Dallas, TX

21d

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 organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable state and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and participates in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities intended to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including welcoming patients, assessing their wellbeing and vascular access, obtaining and documenting weights and vital signs, initiating and monitoring prescribed treatment, responding to treatment issues, and discontinuing treatment. The PCT documents care and treatment parameters, reports significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor, obtains prescribed laboratory specimens, and follows infection-control procedures. Additional duties may include supporting patient and staff education under nurse supervision, assisting patients in a Transitional Care Unit with education and care coordination during their first four weeks of dialysis, and helping patients understand treatment options and home dialysis. The role also includes machine and area cleaning, supply and equipment preparation, clinical recordkeeping, and participation in quality and infection-control activities. The work involves desk and computer tasks as well as interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and prolonged standing and bending. Employees may occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift items weighing up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees 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.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable 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 to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
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 stated physical duties, including prolonged standing, bending, patient assistance and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment within the described limits.

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 measures, disease processes, vascular access, infection control, and treatment options as permitted by state law and under appropriate supervision.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including patient identification and relevant pre- and post-dialysis evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders and program the machine for the prescribed ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess the patient before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate the patient before discharge.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions and responses, and other required information accurately and promptly on treatment sheets, in clinical applications, and where applicable in progress notes.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and route specimens according to laboratory requirements; and ensure courier collection.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment to prevent waste.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain environmental safety and cleanliness.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on missing or incorrect entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education for staff, patients, and families under appropriate direction.
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 patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and coordinate 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.