Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Bluefield, WV

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of the dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role involves setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean working environment, following organizational policies and applicable regulations, and contributing to quality enhancement and continuous improvement activities focused on patient outcomes and satisfaction. The technician welcomes and monitors patients during treatment, assesses vascular access, obtains vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures, monitors patient response, and documents treatment information. The position also includes preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining treatment equipment and supplies, supporting infection control, and assisting with staff training under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and transitions to the patient’s chosen treatment modality, and assists with treatment setup, supplies, and inventory. The position includes direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and may require travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated 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.
Pass 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 heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing, bending, and occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with 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 as high as 5 feet; assistance or material-assist devices are available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures and disease process/access as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, vascular access evaluations, and other required patient assessments.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, provide prescribed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly in required records and clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas according to facility policy.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
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, and orderly environment and follow organizational business policies, procedures, and ethical practices.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and help ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education as directed.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients and liaise with appropriate 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 coordination of transitions 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.