Patient Care Technician - PCT

About the Role

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, maintenance of a safe and clean working environment, and support of the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.

Responsibilities

• Patient Related Education:
  • Assist in providing patient-specific education on adequacy measures (e.g., Online Clearance Monitoring, Adequacy Monitoring Program, Urea Kinetic Modeling) and disease process/access.
• Treatment:
  • Welcome patients and evaluate their well-being since last treatment.
  • Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
  • Obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight; evaluate vascular access pre-treatment.
  • Initiate dialysis treatment per prescribed orders, including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD).
  • Monitor and address intradialytic problems as directed by physician orders or supervision.
  • Evaluate patients’ response to therapy, obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion, and document discontinuation of treatment.
  • Discontinue treatment per established procedures, evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access, and obtain hemostasis.
  • Calculate and program dialysis machine settings (e.g., Ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, UF modeling).
  • Ensure safety alarms (e.g., Narrow Venous Limits) are enabled.
  • Record accurate and timely treatment data, including vital signs and parameters, on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet.
  • Document patient treatment details, including progress notes, and report significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
  • Conduct machine safety checks, document interventions for unusual patient status, and report findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
  • Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, and document/report unusual findings.
  • Obtain prescribed laboratory testing, prepare specimens, and ensure proper handling and storage.
  • Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant per facility policy.
  • Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.
  • Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Staff Related:
  • Assist in training direct patient care staff on applicable programs under nurse supervision.
• Education/Communication:
  • Adhere to organization policies, procedures, and compliance standards.
  • Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics; ensure all areas are safe and clean.
  • Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
  • Prepare for dialysis treatment, document as required, and perform pretreatment machine alarm testing (e.g., Pressure Holding).
  • Initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
• Record Keeping:
  • Document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
  • Enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and timely.
  • Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures, and address omitted entries.
  • Prepare initial patient charts for admission and compile paperwork for placement.
  • Prepare/print lab requisitions and ensure proper collection, labeling, and storage of specimens.
  • Coordinate lab specimen collection by appropriate couriers.
• Infection Control:
  • Assist in collecting data for infection control audits.
  • Support adherence to infection control practices for staff and patients.
  • Follow and reinforce infection control policies and procedures.
  • Participate in infection control education for patients and families under supervision.
• Transitional Care Unit:
  • Coordinate care for newly admitted patients during their first 4 weeks of dialysis.
  • Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as allowed by state law.
  • Liaise with Fresenius staff to ensure scheduled visits from all disciplines.
  • Educate patients on home dialysis products, benefits, and setup.
  • Set up and perform treatments on all machines in the transitional care unit.
  • Assist in demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup and explaining treatment options.
  • Coordinate transition to the patient’s chosen modality and assist with supply ordering/inventory for the TCU.

Requirements

• High School diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required timeline.
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.

Qualifications

• Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility preferred.
• Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification required for continued employment.
• Must pass Ishihara’s Color Blindness test; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Regular interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians, including desk and computer work.
• Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; may require travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings.
• Work environment is temperature-controlled with moderate noise levels; exposure to infectious/contagious diseases/materials possible.
• Direct patient care involving heavy lifting, moving patients, and assisting with ambulation; coworkers or equipment aids may assist.
• Frequent, prolonged periods of standing and bending; occasional pushing/pulling of equipment (up to 15 lbs.).
• Frequent lifting/lowering of solutions (up to 30 lbs.); occasional lifting up to 40 lbs. (as high as 5 feet).
• Two-person assist program and material assist devices available for heavier items.