Patient Care Technician -PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Clifton Park, NY

17h • Onsite

About The Position

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. Responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines and assisting in maintaining a safe and clean working environment. Supports the organization's commitment to quality improvement activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement.

This role involves direct patient care, including patient education, monitoring, and treatment initiation and discontinuation. The technician will also be responsible for accurate record-keeping, infection control practices, and assisting in the transitional care of new patients. The position requires adherence to all organizational policies, procedures, and regulatory compliance.

Requirements

• High School diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Must meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred.
• Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organization dialysis training program.
• Successful completion of CPR certification.
• Employees are required to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment.
• Ability to perform heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation.
• Ability to bend over.
• Ability to push and/or pull equipment, exerting up to 15 pounds of force.
• Ability to lift and lower solutions up to 30 lbs frequently, and up to 40 lbs occasionally, as high as 5 feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding dialysis adequacy measures and disease processes.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated.
• Obtain vital signs and weight before and after treatment, and evaluate vascular access.
• Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow.
• Evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed.
• Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy.
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion and discontinue dialysis treatment according to procedures.
• Evaluate patient for hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
• Evaluate patient prior to discharge.
• Perform and record pre and post dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs.
• Calculate and program dialysis machine settings for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
• Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
• Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters.
• Document information related to patient treatment, including completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes.
• Report significant information or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks.
• Report any change or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patients' response.
• Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, provide appropriate intervention, and report findings.
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
• Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant.
• Prepare, organize, and utilize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
• Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs.
• Follow all organization business policies, procedures, and systems.
• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics; ensure all areas are safe and clean.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
• Perform all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment, including machine alarm testing.
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
• Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
• Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and timely.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures are documented.
• Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork.
• Prepare/print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat lab specimens.
• Collect, label, prepare, and store lab samples according to laboratory specifications.
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.
• Assist in collecting information for infection control audits.
• Support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
• Follow infection control policies and procedures.
• Participate in and reinforce infection control education of patients and families.
• Follow newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care related matters for new patients.
• Liaise with appropriate FKC staff members to provide the best patient experience.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits.
• Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup.
• Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
• Assist with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.

Benefits

• The rate of pay for this position will depend on the successful candidate’s work location and qualifications, including relevant education, work experience, skills, and competencies.

What This Job Offers

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