Patient Care Technician- PCT- Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Schnecksville, PA

16d

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. The role follows organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable state and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supports quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. The technician welcomes patients, obtains and records pre- and post-treatment measurements, evaluates vascular access, initiates and monitors dialysis treatments, and responds to patient or machine concerns as directed. The role includes documenting treatment information, reporting changes in patient condition, collecting laboratory specimens, and assisting with infection control and patient education. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate care and education for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, including support for understanding treatment and home-dialysis options. The position requires a high school diploma or GED and completion of applicable CMS-approved certification requirements within the required timeline. Continued employment depends on successfully completing the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification. Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred. The work includes direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, prolonged standing, bending, and frequent lifting or moving of patients and supplies. Employees must take the Ishihara color blindness test; failing it does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-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 dialysis training program for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
Take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent and prolonged standing, bending, lifting, moving patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment requiring up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to work in a health care facility and potential exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Provide patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease process, and vascular access as appropriate and within applicable rules.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis treatment 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 and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document the response.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, obtain relevant vital signs, assess the patient before discharge, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Record accurate and timely vital signs, treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, and other required information in clinical records.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange timely pickup of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills immediately using the appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection-control policies and procedures.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect the dialysis machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, check for nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under the direction of the Center Manager or designee, as allowed by state law.
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 as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required.