Patient Care Technician- PCT

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

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 in accordance with organization policies, procedures, training, and regulatory requirements. Responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean working environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities including patient satisfaction and process improvement initiatives.

• Assist other health care members in providing patient‑specific detailed education regarding adequacy measures (OLC, AMP, UKM) and disease process/access.

• Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
• Obtain pre‑ and post‑treatment vital signs, weight, and perform vascular access evaluation pre‑treatment.
• Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders (blood flow QB and dialysate flow QD).
• Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions per physician order.
• Monitor patients’ response to dialysis therapy.
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion; perform all functions necessary for treatment discontinuation – document.
• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures and evaluate patient before termination of venous access, including standing and sitting blood pressure.
• Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
• Evaluate the patient prior to discharge.
• Perform and record pre‑ and post‑dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs with initial identification.
• Calculate and enter individual patient dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
• Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including narrow venous limits (NVL) 160.
• Record accurate and timely vital signs and treatment parameters on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification.
• Document and report significant changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks per facility policy, reporting any changes or unusual findings.
• Document interventions for unusual patient status and the patient’s response.
• Evaluate vascular access during treatment (arterial and venous pressures), provide interventions, and report findings.
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
• Immediately clean all blood spills with appropriate disinfectant.
• Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.
• Monitor patients performing self‑care under RN supervision.

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

• Follow all organization business policies, procedures, and systems, including compliance with ethical practices.
• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics – ensure all areas are safe and clean.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments per facility policy.
• Perform all tasks necessary for dialysis treatment preparation and document as appropriate, including pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing (Pressure Holding – PHT).
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS).

• Complete and document ongoing participation in CQI activities.
• Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and timely.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures are documented, and correct omitted entries.
• Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement in chart.
• Prepare and print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
• Collect, label, prepare, and store lab samples according to laboratory specifications.
• Ensure lab specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.

• Assist in collecting information for…