Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Victor, NY

1d • $17 - $26 • Hybrid

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. Responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines and assisting in maintaining a safe and clean working environment. Supports the organization's commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI Activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement.

This is a regional float position requiring dialysis experience and CCHT or Bonent certification. Reliable transportation is necessary.

Requirements

• Dialysis Experience
• CCHT or Bonent Certification Required
• High School diploma or its equivalent required
• Valid PCT national certification or state specific certification as defined by Center for Medicaid/Medicare (CMS)
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards
• At least five years patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred.
• Successful completion of CPR certification.

Nice To Haves

• Attendance and active participation in all applicable preceptor training programs as established by education leadership
• Attends Fresenius and publicly offered skill-based training as assigned by Clinical Manager.
• Employees are required to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. Note that: Failing the Ishihara Test for Color Blindness does not preclude employment. The Company will consider whether reasonable accommodation can be made.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures, disease process, and access.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
• Obtain vital signs and weight, and perform vascular access evaluation pre-treatment.
• Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders.
• Evaluate and intervene for intradialytic problems as prescribed.
• Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy.
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion, perform discontinuation procedures, and evaluate the patient prior to discharge.
• Calculate and program dialysis machine settings for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
• Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
• Record accurate and timely treatment data on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet.
• Report significant information or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks.
• Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and their response.
• Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, provide intervention, and report findings.
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
• Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectants.
• Prepare, organize, and utilize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN and assist as applicable.
• Participate in the recruitment process for new clinical staff.
• Assist with clinical orientation and ongoing training of direct patient care personnel and facility staff.
• Function as a preceptor in direct patient care training.
• Deliver and maintain competency evaluations/audits for other PCTs.
• Collaborate with the Clinical Manager and Education Coordinator regarding quality standards, ESRD regulatory and legal requirements, and Continuous Quality Improvement.
• Assist in training of direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
• Provide developmental support to clinical and facility staff.
• Educate appropriate personnel regarding the integrity and safety of facility water systems.
• Educate appropriate personnel regarding the maintenance of environmental integrity, including patient and staff safety.
• Ensure strong communication between Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, direct patient care staff, and support staff regarding training and organizational development.
• Participate in implementing and potentially designing creative educational programs for PCT staff.
• Collaborate with Clinical Managers and Education Coordinators in scheduling and implementing training programs.
• Monitor processes in patient care delivery through regular Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
• Ensure all organization business policies and procedures are incorporated into training, including compliance with ethical business practices.
• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics, 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 and document appropriately.
• Perform required pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing.
• Initiate 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, ensure nursing signatures, and correct omitted entries.
• 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 with facility QAI infection control audits.
• Act as a change agent for infection control practices within the clinic.
• Monitor staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
• Reinforce new hire employee adherence to infection control policies and procedures.
• Support ongoing staff and patient engagement on infection control practices.
• Reinforce patient and staff adherence to infection control policies and procedures through visual media.
• Participate in education response to internal and external facility surveys.
• Participate in and reinforce infection control education of patients and families.
• Follow all newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care related matters for new patients.
• Liaise with appropriate FKC staff members to provide the best patient experience.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and how it can work for them.
• Set up and perform a treatment 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 TCU.

Benefits

• The rate of pay for this position will depend on the successful candidate’s work location and qualifications, including relevant education, work experience, skills, and competencies.

What This Job Offers

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