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.
  • Evaluate patients’ response to therapy and obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion.
  • Discontinue treatment per established procedures, evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access, and obtain hemostasis.
  • Calculate and program dialysis machines for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
  • Ensure safety alarms (e.g., Narrow Venous Limits) are enabled.
  • Document vital signs, treatment parameters, and patient interventions accurately and timely.
  • Report significant information or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
  • Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment and intervene as needed.
  • Obtain prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
  • Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant per facility policy.
  • Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment.
  • 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 a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, and equipment between treatments.
  • Perform pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
  • Initiate the 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 and ensure nursing signatures are documented.
  • Prepare patient charts for admission and compile necessary paperwork.
  • Prepare and print lab requisitions; collect, label, and store lab samples per specifications.
  • Ensure lab specimens are collected 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 nurse direction.
• 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.
  • Liaison with staff to ensure scheduled visits and a positive patient experience.
  • Assist in educating patients about home dialysis products and benefits.
  • Set up and perform treatments on all machines in the transitional care unit.
  • Demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup and assist with transition to patient’s chosen modality.
  • Assist with supply ordering and 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.
• 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 or demonstrate ability to perform essential functions with reasonable accommodations.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Regular interaction with patients, staff, and physicians; desk and computer work.
• Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; may require travel to regional or corporate meetings.
• Work environment is temperature-controlled with moderate noise levels; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• Frequent, prolonged standing and bending; occasional heavy lifting and moving of patients (with assistance).
• Regularly lift and lower solutions up to 30 lbs., occasionally up to 40 lbs., as high as 5 feet (with assistive devices).
• Push/pull equipment exerting up to 15 pounds of force.