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 their 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 according to prescribed orders, including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD).
  • Monitor intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed, and evaluate patient response to therapy.
  • Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion; perform all functions necessary for treatment discontinuation and document.
  • Discontinue treatment per established procedures, evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access, and obtain hemostasis.
  • Calculate and program individual patient dialysis machine settings (e.g., Ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, UF modeling).
  • Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled (e.g., Narrow Venous Limits).
  • Record accurate and timely information on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet, including vital signs and treatment parameters.
  • Document patient treatment details, complete progress notes, and report significant information or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
  • Conduct machine safety checks, observe patients, and intervene for unusual patient status; document responses.
  • Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor pressures, provide interventions as needed, and report unusual findings.
  • Obtain prescribed laboratory testing, prepare specimens, and ensure proper handling and cleaning of blood spills.
  • 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:
  • Follow all organizational 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.
  • Perform all tasks necessary for dialysis treatment preparation and document as required.
  • Conduct pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
  • Initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
• Record Keeping:
  • Complete and 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.
  • Ensure lab specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
• Infection Control:
  • Assist in collecting information for infection control audits.
  • Support adherence to infection control practices for staff and patients.
  • Follow infection control policies and procedures.
  • Participate in and reinforce infection control education for patients and families under direction.
• Transitional Care Unit:
  • Follow newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
  • Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as allowed by state law.
  • Liaison with appropriate staff to ensure the best patient experience, including scheduling disciplines per plan.
  • Assist in ensuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and processes.
  • Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
  • Assist with coordination of transition to the patient’s chosen modality and supply ordering/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 timeline.
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
• 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.

Working Conditions

• Day-to-day work includes desk and personal computer tasks, interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians.
• Travel between assigned facilities and various community locations may be required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be necessary.
• Work environment is characteristic of a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise levels.
• May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• Physical demands include:
  • 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 over.
  • Occasional pushing/pulling of equipment, exerting up to 15 pounds of force.
  • Frequent lifting/lowering of solutions up to 30 lbs.; occasional lifting up to 40 lbs. as high as 5 feet (two-person assist and material assist devices available).
• Employees are required to take the Ishihara’s Color Blindness test; failing does not preclude employment if reasonable accommodations can be made.