Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Worcester, MA

9d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the home dialysis health care team to support safe and effective home dialysis therapy and patient training. Under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse—specifically the Home Therapies registered nurse (HT RN)—the PCT performs duties in accordance with organizational policies, applicable state and federal regulations, and the scope of state law. The role includes helping set up home dialysis equipment and maintaining a safe, clean environment within the home therapy program. The PCT supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), continuous quality improvement activities, patient satisfaction, and related process-improvement efforts.

Responsibilities may include reinforcing home hemodialysis (HHD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) training; welcoming patients and collecting intake information, vital signs, and weights; communicating with patients, care partners, nurses, providers, and other team members; reviewing treatment records and reporting missing or abnormal information; supporting reconciliation of home treatment, medication, and oral nutritional supplement information; preparing laboratory specimens and supporting transplant-related specimen tracking and education; and carrying out room preparation, equipment disinfection, stocking, supply management, appointment scheduling, patient registration, connected-health support, documentation, and clerical tasks. The PCT may also assist with home visits and provide home support where applicable and permissible.

For HHD, the PCT may reinforce training; set up, take down, program, test, and disinfect machines; troubleshoot machinery and connectivity; prepare dialysate and supplies; assess and document dialysis access findings; initiate treatments; monitor and document patient status, vital signs, and machine data; perform safety checks; report significant changes to the HT RN; provide permitted interventions as directed; and assist with water and dialysate testing. For PD, duties may include reinforcing training, troubleshooting cyclers and connectivity, performing prescribed phlebotomy when qualified, setting up cyclers and preparing solutions, assisting with exit-site care, and tracking equipment.

The role involves desk and computer work as well as direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, business-unit, and corporate meetings. The work takes place in a healthcare environment with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The position also requires frequent prolonged standing and bending, occasional pushing or pulling of equipment, frequent lifting of solutions up to 30 pounds, and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take an Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• Must have any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
• Must demonstrate commitment to the organization’s mission, culture, core values, and customer service standards.
• Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
• Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Reinforce home hemodialysis and/or peritoneal dialysis training as permitted by law.
• Welcome patients; obtain vital signs and weights; and gather information for the Clinic Visit Intake form.
• Communicate and collaborate with patients, care partners, the HT RN, staff, providers, and other team members.
• Obtain and review treatment records for completeness and report missing or abnormal data to the HT RN.
• Assist with electronic reconciliation of home treatment, medication, and oral nutritional supplement information, and report missing data or orders to the HT RN.
• Assist HT RNs with home visits and provide home support when applicable and permissible.
• Prepare supplies for prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for shipping.
• Assist with tracking and shipping transplant-related laboratory specimens and reinforce transplant education.
• Complete and document opening and closing daily chores as appropriate.
• Disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, tables, and other equipment between patient visits and routinely.
• Prepare exam and training rooms for home dialysis training, treatments, or other visits; stock rooms with supplies; and manage supplies to maximize use and minimize waste.
• Schedule patient appointments and contact patients or caregivers with appointment information and reminders.
• Support patient registration and use of connected health; assist patients and care partners with supply ordering and inventory management; and maintain logs and tracking.
• Order and track clinic or office supplies as directed.
• Participate in medical-record, infection-control, and other audits as directed; collaborate during staff huddles and meetings.
• Collect required patient-admission documentation and prepare and maintain electronic or paper patient charts as directed.
• Perform clerical duties as assigned, such as answering phones, faxing, emailing, and contacting provider offices.
• For HHD, set up, take down, program, test, and disinfect the machine as directed; troubleshoot equipment and connectivity; and prepare dialysate and treatment supplies according to directions and orders.
• For HHD, evaluate dialysis access, document findings, and report abnormalities to the HT RN.
• For HHD, initiate treatment and monitor and document patient status, vital signs, and machine data; perform safety checks at required intervals; report significant changes; and provide and document directed, permissible interventions.
• For HHD, obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, ensure access hemostasis before leaving the treatment area, and report findings to the HT RN.
• Assist with quarterly, semi-annual, and annual water and dialysate testing as directed.
• For PD, troubleshoot cycler, modem, and connectivity issues; perform prescribed phlebotomy when qualified; set up cyclers and prepare and warm PD solutions as directed; assist with exit-site care; and help track PD equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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
• Education Level: High school or GED