Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Toledo, OH

12d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting patients during treatment, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational goals. The technician performs and documents pre-, during-, and post-treatment care, monitors patient responses and vascular access, operates dialysis equipment according to prescribed orders, and reports significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also includes specimen collection and preparation, infection-control practices, accurate clinical recordkeeping, and support for staff training under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports patients in understanding treatment and home-dialysis options, and helps coordinate transitions to a chosen modality. Work involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians; travel between assigned facilities and community locations; and the physical demands described in the posting. High school diploma or GED is required, as is meeting applicable CMS-approved certification requirements within the required timeline. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet 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 for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the described physical duties, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment as described.

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, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
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.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and observe patients while conducting machine safety checks.
Monitor patient responses and vascular access during treatment, intervene as directed, document interventions and responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Maintain accurate and timely treatment documentation and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required nursing signatures and corrections are completed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment, and perform required machine preparation, alarm testing, and Solution Delivery System initiation.
Support patient and staff adherence to infection-control practices, assist with infection-control audits, and reinforce patient and family education as directed and permitted by law.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
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 their understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assist with demonstrations, modality transitions, and TCU supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and travel between assigned facilities and community locations as required.