Patient Care Technician I

Fresenius Medical Care•Claremont, NH

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, documenting treatment and patient information, and supporting quality improvement activities. This is a float position between the Claremont and Lebanon locations; training will be primarily held in Lebanon. The technician welcomes patients, checks their wellbeing, evaluates vascular access, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures, monitors patients’ responses, and reports changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor. Duties also include machine safety checks, laboratory specimen collection and preparation, infection-control activities, supply management, and accurate clinical recordkeeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports patient understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with equipment and supply needs. The role involves travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community and may include travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The work takes place in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious materials, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to perform the physical functions described, including frequent, prolonged standing; bending; assisting with patient lifting, movement, and ambulation; and lifting or lowering solutions and supplies.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community.
Employees are required to take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including initial identification, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed patient machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and document interventions and outcomes.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform and document the procedures required to discontinue treatment, including standing and sitting blood pressure checks, hemostasis, and dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and assess venous access before termination.
Record accurate and timely treatment parameters and patient information on treatment sheets and in clinical applications; complete applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, or vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, complete required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, initiate the Solution Delivery System, and document as appropriate.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate nursing signatures, and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, follow infection-control policies and procedures, support staff and patient adherence, and reinforce patient and family infection-control education under direction as allowed 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 as allowed by state law; coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled services.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.