Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Albany, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean treatment environment, and contributing to the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. No prior dialysis experience is required; the position includes 12 weeks of paid, structured training with an assigned Preceptor and Nurse Educator.

The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated care tasks as permitted by state law, obtains and documents vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatments, monitors patient responses, and reports changes or unusual findings to a nurse or supervisor. The role also includes preparing and operating equipment, collecting and handling laboratory specimens, maintaining treatment records, supporting infection-control practices, and assisting with patient education and staff training under appropriate supervision.

In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate care for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, assists with modality transitions, and helps manage supplies and inventory.

The work includes direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The role may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Major holidays are off.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• Must have any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
• Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
• Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
• Ability to perform direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation, with equipment or coworker assistance available.
• Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
• Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet.
• Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
• Set up and operate hemodialysis machines, initiate and discontinue treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and perform required machine safety checks and alarm testing.
• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law, monitor access pressures, and report unusual findings.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, patient evaluations, treatment parameters, and other required information.
• Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
• Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling, and ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of laboratory specimens according to applicable requirements.
• Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
• Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
• Enter treatment data accurately and promptly; complete and review treatment sheets, ensure required nursing signatures, correct or arrange correction of omitted entries, and prepare patient charts and laboratory requisitions.
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and support patient satisfaction and quality goals.
• Support infection-control audits, practices, procedures, and patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
• Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care matters for new patients, liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure appointments with disciplines are scheduled according to plan.
• Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with TCU supply ordering and inventory.
• Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and customer service standards.

Benefits

• 12 weeks of paid, structured training with an assigned Preceptor and Nurse Educator.
• Up to $4,400 tuition reimbursement per calendar year.
• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off.
• Parental leave.
• Major holidays off.

What This Job Offers

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