Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Albany, NY

16d•$15 - $24

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality improvement activities intended to support patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient assessment, vascular access care, treatment initiation and discontinuation, monitoring, documentation, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. It also includes equipment preparation and cleaning, specimen collection, infection-control practices, record keeping, and support for patient education. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and helps coordinate care and education about treatment options. No prior dialysis experience is required. The organization offers 12 weeks of paid, structured training with an assigned Preceptor and Educator. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification. The role requires a high school diploma or GED and the applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification within the required timeline. The position’s hourly rate is $15.00–$24.00, depending on work location and qualifications.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification to remain employed.
Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; and occasional pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or allowed by state law, and assess access during treatment.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and evaluations, including initial patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling.
Check that required safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, document patient responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform the functions required to discontinue treatment, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, evaluate patients before discharge, and document treatment information accurately and promptly.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and 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, training systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate signatures; and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and support patient and family infection-control education under the direction of the CM 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; liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduling according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with coordination of transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.