Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Aliquippa, PA

45d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) functions as part of the dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy to patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. This role involves operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting the organization's commitment to quality improvement. The company is a leading provider of renal care products and services, recognized as one of America's 'Most Loved Workplaces'. They offer extensive training, including 12 weeks of paid, structured training with a preceptor and nurse educator, and major holidays off. The organization has a significant global presence, caring for numerous dialysis patients and operating production sites for dialysis equipment.

Requirements

• High school diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Must meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred.
• Successful completion of the organization dialysis training program.
• Successful completion of CPR certification.
• Ability to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment (failing does not preclude employment if reasonable accommodations can be made).

Nice To Haves

• No prior dialysis experience required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding dialysis adequacy measures and disease process.
• Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated.
• Obtain vital signs and weight, and perform vascular access evaluation before and after treatment.
• Initiate and monitor dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, including programming the hemodialysis machine for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
• Evaluate and intervene for intradialytic problems as prescribed.
• Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy.
• Obtain Hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients prior to discharge.
• Perform and document pre and post dialysis evaluations, weight, and vital signs.
• Ensure safety alarms on dialysis machines are enabled.
• Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet.
• Document information related to patient treatment, including progress notes.
• Report significant changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Conduct machine safety checks and report any unusual findings.
• Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patient response.
• Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures, and report findings.
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
• Clean blood spills immediately according to facility policy.
• Prepare, organize, and utilize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
• Assist in training other direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics by ensuring all areas are safe and clean.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
• Perform all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment, including machine alarm testing.
• Initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
• Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
• Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and timely.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures and omitted entries are corrected.
• Prepare initial patient charts for admission and compile paperwork.
• Prepare/print lab requisitions and collect, label, prepare, and store lab samples.
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.
• Assist in collecting information for infection control audits.
• Support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
• Participate in and reinforce infection control education of patients and families.
• Follow newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care related matters for new patients.
• Liaise with appropriate staff members to provide the best patient experience.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits.
• Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup.
• Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
• Assist with supply ordering and inventory for the TCU.

Benefits

• Major holidays off
• 12 weeks of paid & structured training with an assigned Preceptor & Nurse Educator
• Up to $4,400 tuition reimbursement per calendar year

What This Job Offers

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