Patient Care Technician - PCT - Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Saugus, MA

20h•$20 - $27

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 regulations. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. No prior dialysis experience is required. The position includes 11 weeks of paid on-the-job training toward national certification. Successful certification leads to a pay increase and promotion. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the dialysis training program and CPR certification. The position involves direct patient care, including monitoring patients before, during, and after treatment; documenting treatment and patient information; responding to changes in patient status; and collecting and preparing laboratory specimens. It also includes equipment preparation and disinfection, infection control, record keeping, and, in transitional care units, helping new patients understand treatment options and coordinating their transition to a chosen dialysis modality. Work takes place in a health care facility and includes interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. The role requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The position involves frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and handling supplies and solutions. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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.
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 demands of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; moving and assisting patients; frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; and occasionally pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility.
Experience or background as a nursing assistant, CNA, or phlebotomist.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access before and during treatment, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including relevant patient evaluations and identification.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems or unusual findings, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis and apply dressings; evaluate patients before discharge and document treatment completion and relevant findings.
Perform machine safety checks, prepare dialysis equipment, conduct required pretreatment alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage and maintain a safe, clean environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Enter treatment information accurately and promptly, review treatment sheets for completeness and signatures, and ensure omissions or 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 support infection control education for patients and families as allowed by state law.
In a Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help patients understand home dialysis products and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, assist with modality transitions, and help coordinate TCU supplies and inventory.
Assist health care team members with patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access where appropriate.