Patient Care Technician - PCT

Purpose and Scope

Functions as part of the dialysis healthcare team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse in accordance with organization policies, procedures, training, and regulatory requirements. Responsible for setup and operation of hemodialysis machines, maintenance of a safe environment, and participation in quality improvement activities.

Education

• Assist other health care members in providing patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures such as Online Clearance Monitoring, Adequacy Monitoring Program, Urea Kinetic Modeling, and disease processes.

Treatment

• Welcome assigned patients and assess their well‑being since the last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain pre‑ and post‑treatment vitals and weight, and perform vascular access evaluation before treatment.
• Initiate dialysis according to orders, including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD).
• Assess intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed.
• Monitor patients’ responses to therapy and record vital signs and treatment parameters accurately.
• Document all relevant functions, including hemostasis, dressing application, and discontinuation procedures.
• Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
• Ensure safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks.
• Report significant changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Prepare laboratory specimens and maintain compliance with infection control policies.
• Use supplies efficiently to prevent waste.
• Assist patients with self‑care under RN supervision.

• Assist in training direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.

• Follow all organization policies, procedures, and ethical business practices.
• Maintain environmental integrity and cleanliness.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis equipment and surrounding area between treatments.
• Perform all prep tasks for dialysis and document as required.
• Initiate Solution Delivery System procedures.

• Document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
• Enter treatment data accurately and promptly into the clinical application.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness and correct any omissions with appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and lab requisitions.
• Collect, label, and store lab samples according to specifications.
• Ensure lab specimens are collected by the designated courier.

• Assist in collecting information for infection control audits.
• Support staff and patients in adhering to infection control practices.
• Follow infection control policies and procedures.
• Participate in infection control education for patients and families as directed by the CM.

• Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis.
• Reinforce education and care matters related to new patients.
• Liaise with FKC staff to ensure coordinated patient experience.
• Assist patients in understanding home dialysis options.
• Ensure all machines used in the transitional care unit are set up properly.
• Demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup if appropriate.
• Coordinate transition to patient’s chosen modality.
• Assist with supply ordering and inventory for the transitional care unit.

• Perform desk work, computer tasks, and patient interactions; must travel between facilities and to meetings.
• Work in a healthcare environment with moderate noise and potential exposure to infectious materials.
• Provide direct…