Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Maplewood, MN

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis healthcare team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organizational policies, procedures, and training requirements, as well as applicable state and federal regulations. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, helping maintain a safe and clean environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction initiatives. The technician welcomes and monitors patients during dialysis, evaluates vascular access, obtains vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatments according to prescribed orders, and documents treatment information. The role also includes monitoring patient responses, recognizing and reporting changes in condition, performing prescribed interventions, collecting laboratory specimens, and following infection-control procedures. The position may support transitional care by helping new patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforcing education, coordinating care with other staff, explaining treatment options, and assisting with home dialysis and modality transitions. Clinic hours are currently Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday hours to be added; flexibility is required. No prior dialysis experience is needed, and paid training is provided.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer-service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Be able to meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, and regularly lifting or moving patients; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds; and occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; the posting states that failing the test does not preclude employment and that reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and according to prescribed orders, organizational policies, and applicable regulations.
Set up, operate, test, and monitor hemodialysis machines, including completing required alarm testing and enabling appropriate safety alarms.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document patient identification, pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and other required treatment information.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to established procedures and prescribed parameters.
Monitor patients’ responses to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, carry out prescribed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform and document treatment evaluations, machine safety checks, interventions, and patient responses.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Achieve hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, collect and prepare specimens, label and store samples, prepare requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills using the appropriate disinfectant.
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 under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and follow organizational business policies, procedures, and ethical practices.
Enter treatment data accurately and promptly, complete treatment sheets and applicable progress notes, review records for completeness, and help prepare patient charts and paperwork.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and assist with infection-control audits and education under appropriate direction.
Support patient and staff adherence to infection-control practices and follow infection-control policies and procedures.
For transitional care, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, coordinate care with appropriate staff, reinforce education, and assist with treatment-option and home-dialysis education.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit, assist with demonstrations of peritoneal dialysis setup, coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, and help manage transitional care unit supplies and inventory.