Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Camillus, NY

3d•$15 - $24

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician 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, assisting with a safe and clean working environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. Dialysis experience is not required; paid training is provided, with growth and advancement opportunities. The position has no on-call duties, overnight shifts, or Sunday work. The technician supports patients throughout dialysis treatments by obtaining measurements, assessing vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, monitoring patient responses, documenting treatment information, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. Other duties include preparing and handling laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and infection-control practices, and assisting with staff training. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports patient understanding of treatment options, and assists with equipment setup and supply inventory. The role involves direct patient care and work in a health care facility, with travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Work may include lifting and moving patients and supplies, prolonged standing, bending, and exposure to infectious or contagious materials. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline and complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification to remain employed. Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred. Hourly pay is listed as $15.00–$24.00, depending on work location and qualifications.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and heavy lifting or moving of patients with assistance as needed.
Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as 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.
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.
Dialysis experience is not required; paid training is provided.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document 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 and machines during treatment, assess patient response, address problems as prescribed or directed, and report changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, obtain required measurements, assess patients before discharge, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed patient machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and clinical application data.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment, and immediately clean blood spills with approved disinfectant according to facility policy.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between patients.
Prepare for treatments, perform required machine alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and help ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection-control audits, follow infection-control policies, support adherence, and reinforce patient and family education as directed and permitted by law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and help coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education for new patients, coordinate appointments with appropriate staff, and support patient understanding of home dialysis products and treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, help coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.