Pct I

Fresenius Medical Care•Monroe, NC

About The Position

The PCT I functions as part of the dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines and helping maintain a safe, clean working environment. The position supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvement efforts. The PCT I provides dialysis treatments and related patient care, including monitoring patients before, during, and after treatment; evaluating vascular access; recording vital signs and treatment information; and reporting significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also supports patient education, infection control, clinical documentation, laboratory specimen handling, staff training, and the operation of the Transitional Care Unit (TCU), including helping newly admitted patients understand treatment and modality options. The position involves work in a health care facility and requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. Duties include frequent standing and bending, direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, and lifting dialysis solutions and equipment. Employees may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases or materials. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. An Ishihara color blindness test is required 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 applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must hold any state licensure and complete 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 direct patient care involving frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, with assistance from equipment or coworkers as needed.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations in the community; 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 preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights; evaluate vascular access before treatment and patients before discharge.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter individual dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and conduct machine safety checks and required alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT).
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document patients’ responses.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, and report and document unusual findings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, patient evaluations, and other treatment information accurately and promptly in the required records and clinical application.
Report significant information and changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection control policies and procedures.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
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 and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS), and document tasks as required.
Participate in and document ongoing CQI activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures are documented, and arrange for omitted entries to be completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts for admission and compile paperwork for placement in the chart.
Prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens and ensure collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection control audits and reinforce infection control practices and education for staff, patients, and families under the direction of the CM or designee and as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with coordination of the patient’s modality transition, and help with TCU supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and customer service standards.