Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Milwaukee, WI

9d•Onsite

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 treatment environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician monitors patients before, during, and after treatment; documents treatment information; and reports changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also supports patient education, infection-control practices, laboratory specimen handling, treatment-record management, and staff training under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with coordination of modality transitions and supplies. The role involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and work in a health care environment where exposure to infectious materials may occur. Clinic hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 5 a.m.–8 p.m., and Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 5 a.m.–4 p.m. The clinic is located at 7701 West Clinton Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53223.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable 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 to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment as described in the posting.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess the patient before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate the patient before discharge.
Record accurate and timely vital signs, treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, and other required treatment documentation.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate and monitor vascular access during treatment, document findings, and report abnormalities.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection-control policies and procedures.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain safe and clean surroundings; clean and disinfect the dialysis machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, conduct and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required signatures and corrections are obtained.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education for staff, patients, and families 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, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure appointments with disciplines follow the care plan.
Help patients understand home-dialysis products, benefits, options, and treatment procedures, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordinating transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.