Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Marquette, MI

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician 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 organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable regulations. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean treatment environment, and participating in Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and outcomes. No dialysis-specific experience is required; comprehensive on-the-job training is provided. The technician welcomes and monitors patients before, during, and after dialysis; evaluates vascular access; performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted; initiates and discontinues prescribed treatments; monitors patient and machine safety; documents treatment data; collects laboratory specimens; and reports significant changes or unusual findings to a nurse or supervisor. The position also supports staff training, infection control, clinic operations, and, when assigned to the Transitional Care Unit, new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and their transition to a preferred treatment modality. The work includes direct patient care, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Employees may be exposed to infectious materials and must travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to meetings may also be required. The clinic is located at 1009 Harbor Hills Dr, Marquette, MI 49855.

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’s dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies, with assistance or devices available as described.
Employees are required to 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 is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Monitor patients’ responses to treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide or document interventions as prescribed or directed.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, patient evaluations, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and store specimens according to requirements, and ensure collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Clean blood spills promptly and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, and maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure signatures and corrections are completed 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, reinforce infection-control practices, and participate in patient and family education under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the new patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home treatment, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, and support supply ordering and inventory.