Patient Care Technician - PCT

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse in accordance with organization policies, procedures, training, and in compliance with regulations set forth by the corporation, state, and federal agencies. Responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines, assisting in the maintenance of a safe and clean working environment, supporting the organization’s commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, and actively participating in process improvement activities that enhance patient satisfaction and help achieve the organization’s QEP goals.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Patient Related

Education

• Assist other health care members in providing patient‑specific detailed education regarding adequacy measures where appropriate – Online Clearance Monitoring (OLC), Adequacy Monitoring Program (AMP), Urea Kinetic Modeling (UKM), and disease process/access.

Treatment

• Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain necessary pre‑ and post‑treatment vital signs, 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 direction.
• Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis therapy.
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion and perform all required functions necessary for treatment discontinuation – document accordingly.
• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures and evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access – record standing and sitting blood pressure.
• Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
• Evaluate patient prior to discharge.
• Perform and record pre‑ and post‑dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs with initial identification.
• 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.
• Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters onto the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification.
• Accurately document information related to patient treatment, including completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and, if applicable, progress notes.
• Report any significant changes in patient condition directly to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy. Report any changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Perform and document any intervention for unusual patient status and document patient response to intervention.
• Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures; provide appropriate intervention as needed, and report any unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
• 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.
• Monitor patients performing self‑care under the supervision of RN.

Staff Related

• Assist in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.

Education/Communication

• Follow all organization 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 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 accurately and timely.
• 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/print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat lab specimens according to laboratory destination.
• Collect, label, appropriately prepare, and store lab samples according to 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 CM 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.
• Liaise with appropriate FKC staff members to provide the best patient experience, including ensuring all disciplines are scheduled to see the 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 and perform a treatment on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options, including demonstration of the peritoneal dialysis set‑up.
• Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
• Assist with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Employees are required to take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. Failing the test does not preclude employment; the company will consider whether reasonable accommodations can be made.
• 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 health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels. Employees may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• Position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation. Equipment, aids, and/or coworkers may provide assistance. The position requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and the employee must be able to bend over. The employee may occasionally be required to push and/or pull equipment, exerting up to 15 pounds of force. The employee may be required to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 lbs., and on an occasional basis up to 40 lbs., as high as 5 feet. A two‑person assist program and material assist devices are available for heavier items.

EDUCATION AND LICENSES

• High School diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Must 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 organization culture, values, and customer service standards.

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIRED SKILLS

• Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred.
• Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organization dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.

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