Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Union City, NJ

5d • $18 - $29

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality improvement activities intended to improve patient satisfaction and help patients achieve the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program goals.

The position involves preparing patients for treatment, assessing vascular access, initiating and monitoring dialysis, recording treatment information, responding to patient needs and unusual findings, and completing post-treatment care. The PCT also supports staff training, infection-control practices, clinical recordkeeping, laboratory specimen handling, and transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients. Work includes direct patient care, frequent standing and bending, lifting and moving patients and supplies, and travel between assigned facilities and other locations in the community.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services-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 and CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
• Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and record 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.
• Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
• Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits.
• Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, conduct machine safety checks, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide or document interventions as directed.
• Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess patients before treatment termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
• Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
• Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Clean blood spills promptly using 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.
• Maintain safe and clean areas, and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
• Prepare for dialysis treatment, conduct required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities, enter treatment data, review treatment sheets for completeness, and prepare patient charts and laboratory requisitions.
• Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under direction as allowed by state law.
• For the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
• Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate visits with appropriate staff, and help patients understand home dialysis products and treatment options.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstrations of peritoneal dialysis setup, and coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
• Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Potential performance-based bonuses depending on company and individual performance for bonus-eligible positions

What This Job Offers

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