Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Corinth, TX

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, helping maintain a safe and clean environment, following organizational policies and regulatory requirements, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. The technician welcomes patients, assesses their wellbeing and vascular access, obtains and records pre-, intra-, and post-treatment information, initiates and discontinues dialysis as prescribed, monitors patients and machine safety, and responds to treatment issues under clinical direction. The role also includes specimen collection and preparation, treatment documentation, infection-control activities, supporting staff training, and helping patients understand aspects of their care. Within the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, assists with modality transitions, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The position involves desk and computer work as well as direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, frequent prolonged standing, bending, and regular lifting and moving of patients and supplies. The work takes place in a healthcare facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. 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 required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must satisfy any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to perform frequent, prolonged standing and bend over.
Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds, as high as five feet; the role may also require pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to provide direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation, with equipment or coworker assistance as needed.
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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and help maintain a safe, clean work environment.
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 record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and conduct patient evaluations before, during, and after treatment.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures; monitor patient response and intervene as directed.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients and machine safety, including required machine checks and pretreatment alarm testing; report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, assessments, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in the appropriate records and clinical application.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange transport of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment, clean blood spills according to policy, and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training direct patient care staff on applicable programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits; follow and reinforce infection-control practices and education as permitted by state law.
Prepare and review patient charts, treatment sheets, lab requisitions, and related paperwork for completeness and correct placement.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care with appropriate staff.
Reinforce education for new patients, support understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, and 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 community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.