Patient Care Technician-PCT- Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care is seeking a Patient Care Technician (PCT) to join the dialysis healthcare team. In this role, you will provide safe and effective dialysis therapy to 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. Training is provided, and this position offers the opportunity to develop specialized skills in dialysis care.

Clinical Setting

You will work in a dialysis facility as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. 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. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community. Travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings may be required.

Responsibilities

Patient Care and Treatment

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

Education and Communication

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

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 ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff
• Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement in chart
• 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 as it relates to the new patient 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 to see patient according to plan
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits of home dialysis, and how home dialysis can work for them
• Set up and perform a 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

Day-to-day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. The position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation. Equipment aids and coworkers may provide assistance. This position requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and the ability to 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 5 feet. A two-person assist program and material assist devices are available for heavier items.

You will be 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
• Successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program
• Successful completion of CPR certification
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards

Preferred Qualifications

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

Additional Requirements

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