Patient Care Technician I

Fresenius Medical Care•Claremont, NH

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician I works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean environment, and contributing to quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities. This is a float position between the Claremont and Lebanon locations, with training primarily held in Lebanon. The technician supports patients through dialysis treatment, including pre- and post-treatment assessments, vascular access care, treatment setup and monitoring, documentation, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also supports patient education, infection control, laboratory specimen handling, equipment and area disinfection, and training of applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, assists patients in understanding treatment and home dialysis options, supports transitions to the patient's chosen modality, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The work includes desk and computer tasks, interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and other community locations. The environment is that of a health care facility, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing, and bending. The position may also involve pushing or pulling equipment and lifting solutions and other items, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet applicable Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must have all applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Continued employment is contingent on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform regular direct patient care involving heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation; frequent prolonged standing and bending; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations in the community.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access under appropriate supervision.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly; report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy, including evaluation of vascular access pressures during treatment.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage; clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain a safe and clean environment.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, initiate the Solution Delivery System, and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and on time.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm required nursing signatures, and ensure omissions or corrections are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork; prepare and print laboratory requisitions; ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection control audits, support adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies, and reinforce infection control education under direction and as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with facility staff to coordinate care according to the plan, and help patients understand home dialysis products and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate.
Assist with coordination of transitions to patients’ chosen modalities and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.