Patient Care Technician - PCT - Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Newburyport, MA

2d•$20 - $27

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, following organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean environment, and contributing to quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. The technician welcomes patients, monitors their condition and response to treatment, obtains and records vital signs and weights, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, initiates and discontinues prescribed treatments, and documents treatment details. The role also includes responding to treatment issues as directed, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and infection-control practices, and reporting patient changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment options and home dialysis, and assists with supplies and inventory. No prior dialysis experience is required; the posting describes paid, on-the-job training for 11 weeks to become nationally certified, with a pay increase and promotion upon certification.

Requirements

High school diploma or G.E.D.
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.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Be able to perform the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting solutions and other items as described in the posting.
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.
Experience or background as a Nursing Assistant, CNA, or Phlebotomist.

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy as part of the health care team under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and other required evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling, and ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients' responses to treatment, identify problems or unusual findings, intervene as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and immediately clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, conduct machine alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under the supervision of a nurse.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and support patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals.
Support infection-control audits, practices, and education for patients and families under the direction of the care manager or designee and as allowed by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce new-patient education, coordinate appointments with appropriate staff disciplines, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations, and support transitions to patients' chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain environmental safety, cleanliness, and aesthetics and follow organizational business policies and ethical practices.