Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•South Haven, MI

11d

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities. The position also contributes to patient satisfaction and process improvement efforts. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors patient responses, and documents treatment information. The role includes machine safety checks, laboratory specimen collection and preparation, infection-control practices, equipment cleaning, and assistance with patient education and staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, assists with modality transitions, and supports supply ordering and inventory. Work involves direct patient care and may include travel between assigned facilities and community locations.

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 to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
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.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

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, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including assessments before treatment termination.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and document patient responses.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, and report unusual findings or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and clinical application entries.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, store them as required, and arrange their collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Maintain a safe and clean environment, prepare and organize supplies and equipment, and prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in CQI activities and assist with infection-control audits; reinforce infection-control practices and education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
Prepare initial patient charts, organize paperwork, review treatment sheets for completeness, and prepare laboratory requisitions.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care with appropriate staff.
Reinforce education for new patients, support understanding of home dialysis products and treatment options, and demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, and help coordinate supplies and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.