Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Renton, WA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines and helping maintain a safe, clean treatment environment. The technician supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including welcoming patients, assessing wellbeing and vascular access, obtaining and recording vital signs and weights, initiating and monitoring treatment, responding to problems, discontinuing treatment, and documenting care. It also includes machine safety checks, laboratory specimen collection and preparation, infection-control practices, patient education support, and accurate completion of clinical records. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, operates unit machines, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. The work includes interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations may be required. The healthcare environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise levels and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The role also requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending, occasional pushing or pulling of equipment, and lifting solutions and other items up to the stated weights. The position requires a high school diploma or GED and applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification within the required timeline. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification. The stated hourly pay range is $21.00–$30.00, depending on work location and qualifications. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and parental leave. The employer maintains a drug-free workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; regularly lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and conduct required machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, during-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform patient evaluations before and after treatment.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems or unusual findings, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document responses, and report significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange appropriate courier collection of specimens.
Clean blood spills and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas according to facility policy.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste; maintain a safe and clean environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; support patient-specific education and communication as appropriate.
Complete and document participation in CQI activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures are documented, and have omitted entries completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce infection-control education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and modality choices, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.