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 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 (blood flow, dialysate flow).
  • Monitor intradialytic problems, intervene as directed, and document patient response.
  • Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion; discontinue treatment per established procedures.
  • Calculate and program dialysis machine settings (Ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, UF modeling).
  • Enable safety alarms (e.g., Narrow Venous Limits).
  • Document vital signs, treatment parameters, and interventions on Hemodialysis Treatment Sheets.
  • Report significant changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
  • Perform machine safety checks and document unusual findings.
  • Evaluate vascular access during treatment; intervene and report issues as needed.
  • Obtain prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
  • Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant.
  • Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment.
  • Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Staff Support: Assist in training direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
• Environmental Maintenance:
  • Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
  • Conduct pre-treatment machine alarm testing (e.g., Pressure Holding).
  • Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS).
• Record Keeping:
  • Document participation in CQI activities.
  • Enter treatment data accurately and timely into clinical applications.
  • Review treatment sheets for completeness; ensure nursing signatures and omitted entries are addressed.
  • Prepare patient charts for admission and compile paperwork.
  • Prepare/print lab requisitions and ensure proper specimen collection, labeling, and storage.
• Infection Control:
  • Assist in collecting data for infection control audits.
  • Reinforce adherence to infection control practices for staff and patients.
  • Participate in and support infection control education for patients and families.
• Transitional Care Unit (TCU):
  • Coordinate care for new patients during their first 4 weeks of dialysis.
  • Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as allowed by state law.
  • Liaise with staff to ensure scheduled visits and optimal patient experience.
  • Educate patients on home dialysis products and benefits.
  • Set up and perform treatments on all TCU machines.
  • Assist in demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup and treatment options.
  • Coordinate transition to patient’s chosen modality and manage supply ordering/inventory.

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 applicable) required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization 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.
• Must pass Ishihara’s Color Blindness test (reasonable accommodations may be made).

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Regular interaction with patients, staff, and physicians; desk and computer work.
• Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; occasional travel to regional/Business Unit/Corporate meetings.
• Work environment includes air temperature control and moderate noise levels; exposure to infectious/contagious diseases/materials.
• Frequent heavy lifting/moving of patients (with assistance or equipment aids).
• Prolonged 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) with two-person/material assist devices.