Patient Care Technician, PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Mashpee, MA

7d • $17 - $27 • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) 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, procedures, and training and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.

The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, takes pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted, initiates and discontinues treatments according to orders and procedures, monitors patient responses, responds to treatment issues, and documents care. The position also involves collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining dialysis equipment and supplies, observing infection-control practices, and communicating significant patient changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.

In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, supports patients in understanding treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with treatment setup, transitions, supplies, and inventory.

The work includes patient interaction and direct care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The position may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials and requires frequent standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment. The employer states that reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. Employees are required to take an Ishihara color blindness test; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline, satisfy applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements, and successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification for continued employment. Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred. The listed hourly rate is $17.00–$27.00, depending on work location and qualifications. The position offers medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, parental leave, and, for bonus-eligible positions, potential performance-based bonuses.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
• Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
• Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
• Demonstrate commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Ability to perform the stated physical demands, including frequent standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment; reasonable accommodations may be made.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Provide safe dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required pre-discharge and standing and sitting blood pressure checks.
• Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
• Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed.
• Check that required machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing.
• Monitor patients’ responses to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and document patient responses.
• Evaluate vascular access and arterial and venous monitoring pressures during treatment; intervene as needed and report unusual findings.
• Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, vital signs, treatment parameters, progress notes where applicable, and clinical application data.
• Report significant information and changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange appropriate courier collection of specimens.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and immediately clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant.
• Prepare, organize, and efficiently use supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment and follow organizational business policies, ethical practices, and infection-control procedures.
• Participate in and document CQI activities, assist with infection-control audits, and reinforce infection-control practices and education as directed and allowed by state law.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify required nursing signatures, and ensure omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
• In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted 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 disciplines see patients according to plan.
• Help patients understand home-dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality.
• Set and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its 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 for bonus-eligible positions, depending on company and individual performance

What This Job Offers

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