Patient Care Technicion - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Niskayuna, NY

9d • $15 - $24 • Onsite

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. Responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines and maintaining a safe and clean working environment. Supports the organization's commitment to quality improvement activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement.

This role involves direct patient care, including patient education, monitoring vital signs, initiating and discontinuing dialysis treatments, operating and programming hemodialysis machines, and ensuring patient safety. The technician also plays a role in record keeping, infection control, and assisting with transitional care for new patients.

Requirements

• High School diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Must meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred.
• Successful completion of the organization dialysis training program.
• Successful completion of CPR certification.

Nice To Haves

• Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing patient education regarding dialysis adequacy measures and disease process.
• Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated.
• Obtain pre and post-treatment vital signs and weight.
• Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders.
• Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy and intervene as needed.
• Program hemodialysis machines for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
• Ensure safety alarms are enabled on dialysis machines.
• Record accurate and timely treatment data on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet.
• Report significant changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Conduct machine safety checks and report any unusual findings.
• Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and their response.
• Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, document, and report findings.
• Obtain and prepare laboratory specimens for collection.
• Clean up blood spills immediately according to facility policy.
• Prepare, organize, and utilize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
• Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff.
• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics; ensure all areas are safe and clean.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machine, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
• Perform required pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing.
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
• Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
• Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and timely.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure proper documentation.
• Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork.
• Prepare/print lab requisitions and collect, label, prepare, and store lab samples.
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.
• Assist in collecting information for infection control audits.
• Support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
• Follow infection control policies and procedures.
• Reinforce infection control education of patients and families.
• Follow newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care related matters for new patients.
• Liaise with appropriate staff members to provide the best patient experience.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits.
• Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis setup.
• Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
• Assist with supply ordering and inventory for the TCU.

Benefits

• The rate of pay for this position will depend on the successful candidate’s work location and qualifications, including relevant education, work experience, skills, and competencies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED