Patient Care Technician - PCT
Fresenius Medical Care
Summary
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. Responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines and assisting in maintaining a safe and clean working environment.
Job description
Patient Related Education
Assist other health care members in providing patient specific detailed education regarding adequacy measures where appropriate, including Online Clearance Monitoring (OLC), Adequacy Monitoring Program (AMP), Urea Kinetic Modeling (UKM), and regarding disease process/access.
Treatment
- Welcome assigned patients and inquire as to 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 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 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
- Perform and record pre and post dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs
- 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
- Document information related to patient treatment including completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes
- Report significant information and/or change in patient condition directly to the registered nurse or supervisor
- Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy
- Evaluate patients' vascular access during treatment including arterial and venous monitoring pressures
- Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection
- Ensure all blood spills are immediately cleaned with appropriate disinfectant
- Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage
- Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of RN
Staff Related
Assists 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
- Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and perform 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
- Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement in chart
- Prepare/print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat lab specimens
- 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 4 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
- Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits of home, 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
Requirements
- High School diploma or G.E.D. required
- Must meet 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
- Successful completion of the organization dialysis training program
- Successful completion of CPR certification
- Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- 401(k) Matching
- Paid Time Off
- Parental Leave
Company overview
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA is the world's leading provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases, serving as a global healthcare company specializing in kidney dialysis treatment. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Bad Homburg, Germany with North American operations based in Waltham, Massachusetts, the company operates an extensive network of 4,171 outpatient dialysis centers across approximately 50 countries, serving over 345,000 dialysis patients worldwide. As the clear market leader in dialysis services, Fresenius Medical Care holds a dominant 38% market share of the dialysis market in the United States. The company provides comprehensive renal care solutions including hemodialysis machines, dialyzers, peritoneal dialysis solutions, and related medical devices through its 42 production sites globally. With approximately 128,000 employees, Fresenius Medical Care focuses on improving patients' quality of life through innovative technologies and therapies for end-stage renal disease treatment, offering both in-center and home dialysis options while maintaining a strong commitment to value-based care and patient well-being.