Outpatient care technician

Fresenius Medical Care • Fairhaven, MA

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Outpatient Care Technician is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setup and operation of hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.

The technician welcomes and monitors patients throughout treatment; evaluates and cannulates vascular access; obtains vital signs, weights, and laboratory specimens; initiates, monitors, and discontinues dialysis according to orders and established procedures; and documents treatment information accurately. The role also includes responding to patient status changes, maintaining equipment and infection-control practices, supporting patient education, and assisting with transitional care for new patients, including education about home dialysis and treatment options.

The position involves work in a health care facility, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and other community locations. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. Employees must take an Ishihara color blindness test; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
• Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to remain employed.
• Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
• Ability to take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
• Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation.
• Ability to frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment requiring up to 15 pounds of force.
• Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations within the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
• Set up and operate hemodialysis machines, conduct required pretreatment alarm testing, initiate the Solution Delivery System, and perform machine safety checks.
• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or allowed by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and evaluate patients before treatment, before termination, and before discharge.
• Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, including programming ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
• Monitor patient responses and intradialytic problems, intervene as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings after treatment.
• Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly in the required treatment sheets, progress notes, and clinical applications.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens according to laboratory requirements, arrange collection, and ensure specimens are stored appropriately.
• Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
• Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
• Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and support quality, patient satisfaction, and process-improvement goals.
• Support infection-control audits, follow infection-control policies, reinforce practices, and participate in patient and family infection-control education as directed and allowed by state law.
• For Transitional Care Unit patients, follow new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care with appropriate staff.
• Reinforce education for new patients, help them understand home dialysis products and benefits, explain treatment options, and assist with demonstrations such as peritoneal dialysis setup.
• Coordinate care and scheduling with relevant staff, assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and help manage TCU supplies and inventory.
• Prepare initial patient charts, compile paperwork, review treatment sheets for completeness, and prepare laboratory requisitions as needed.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Potential performance-based bonuses, depending on company and individual performance, for bonus-eligible positions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED