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, assisting in maintaining a safe and clean working environment, and supporting the organization's commitment to quality enhancement and continuous improvement activities.

Responsibilities

• Patient Related Education: Assist in providing patient-specific education on adequacy measures (OLC, AMP, UKM) and disease process/access.
• Treatment:
  • Welcome patients, evaluate vascular access, and perform cannulation.
  • Obtain pre/post treatment vital signs, weight, and vascular access evaluation.
  • Initiate and monitor dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders.
  • Evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems, document patient responses, and report changes to the nurse or supervisor.
  • Discontinue treatment, obtain hemostasis, and evaluate patients prior to discharge.
  • Calculate and program dialysis machine settings for UF goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
  • Document treatment parameters, vital signs, and patient responses accurately.
  • Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Staff Related: Assist in training direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
• Record Keeping:
  • Document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
  • Enter treatment data into clinical applications accurately and timely.
  • Review and complete treatment sheets, lab requisitions, and patient charts.
• Infection Control:
  • Assist in infection control audits and reinforce infection control practices.
  • Follow infection control policies and educate patients/families under direction.
• Transitional Care Unit:
  • Follow newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis.
  • Reinforce education and care coordination for new patients.
  • Assist with supply ordering, inventory, and patient understanding of treatment options.

Qualifications

• 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 required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.

Skills

• 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.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Involves heavy lifting, moving patients, and assisting with ambulation.
• Frequent, prolonged periods of standing, bending, and occasional pushing/pulling of equipment (up to 15 pounds).
• Lifting and lowering solutions up to 30 lbs. frequently and up to 40 lbs. occasionally.
• Two-person assist program and material assist devices available for heavier items.
• Exposure to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• Travel between facilities and community locations required.

Employees must take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. Failing the test does not preclude employment if reasonable accommodations can be made.