Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care is seeking a Patient Care Technician (PCT) to function as part of the dialysis healthcare team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. You will be responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines, patient care during treatment, and maintaining a safe and clean working environment in compliance with organizational policies and federal and state regulations.

Responsibilities

Patient Care and Treatment

• Welcome assigned patients and assess their wellbeing since their last treatment
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform vascular access cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law
• Obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight; perform vascular access evaluation prior to treatment
• Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD)
• Calculate and enter individual patient dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed
• Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160
• Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy and evaluate intradialytic problems, providing intervention as prescribed by physician order or as directed
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion and perform all relevant functions necessary for treatment discontinuation
• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures, including evaluation of standing and sitting blood pressure prior to venous access termination
• Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings
• Evaluate patients prior to discharge
• Perform and record pre- and post-dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs with initial identification
• Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification
• Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy; report any changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor
• Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patient response
• Evaluate patients' vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures; provide appropriate intervention as needed and report unusual findings
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision
• Ensure all blood spills are immediately cleaned with appropriate disinfectant according to facility policy
• Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage

Education and Communication

• Assist other healthcare members in providing patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures (Online Clearance Monitoring, Adequacy Monitoring Program, Urea Kinetic Modeling) and disease process/access
• Assist in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision
• Follow all organizational business policies, procedures, and systems incorporated into training, including compliance with ethical business practices
• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics; ensure all areas are safe and clean
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy
• Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate
• Perform all required pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT)
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS)

Record Keeping

• Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities
• Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application in an accurate and timely manner
• Review treatment sheets for completeness; ensure nursing signatures are documented and omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff
• Prepare initial patient charts for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement
• Prepare and print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat lab specimens according to laboratory destination
• Collect, label, appropriately prepare, and store lab samples according to required laboratory specifications
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier

Infection Control

• Assist in collecting information for infection control audits
• Support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices
• Follow infection control policies and procedures
• Participate in and reinforce infection control education of patients and families under the direction of the care manager or designee as allowed by state law

Transitional Care Unit

• Follow all newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care
• Reinforce all education and care-related matters for new patients as allowed by state law
• Liaison with appropriate Fresenius Medical Care staff members to provide the best patient experience and ensure all disciplines are scheduled according to plan
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and how home dialysis can work for them
• Set up and perform treatment on all machines used in the transitional care unit
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup
• Assist with coordination of transition to patient's modality choice
• Assist with supply ordering and inventory for the transitional care unit

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The position requires direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation. Equipment aids and coworkers may provide assistance. You must be able to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over. You may occasionally be required to push and pull equipment, exerting up to 15 pounds of force. You may be required to lift and lower solutions on a frequent basis of up to 30 pounds and on an occasional basis up to 40 pounds, as high as five feet. A two-person assist program and material assist devices are available for heavier items.

Day-to-day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community. Travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings may be required.

The work environment is characteristic of a healthcare facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels. You may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases and materials.

Employees are required to take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. Failing the Ishihara test for color blindness does not preclude employment; the company will consider whether reasonable accommodations can be made.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required
• Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards
• Successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program
• CPR certification

Preferred Qualifications

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

Additional Requirements

Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.