Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Vancouver, WA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and care outcomes. The technician provides patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders, monitoring patient responses, addressing treatment issues as directed, documenting care, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also involves collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining treatment records, following infection-control procedures, and assisting with patient education and staff training under appropriate supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates with care team members, helps patients understand treatment and home dialysis options, assists with modality transitions, and supports supply ordering and inventory. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work environment is a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. The position includes frequent standing and bending, and regular patient lifting and movement, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable 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 organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, regular lifting and moving of patients, frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds, and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance or material-assist devices are available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and community locations.
Complete the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and perform required machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing.
Welcome patients, inquire about their wellbeing, assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre- and post-dialysis evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures; monitor patient responses and intervene as prescribed or directed.
Calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor vascular access and treatment parameters, including arterial and venous pressures, and report unusual findings or changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment information accurately and promptly, including vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, patient responses, and required treatment records.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and coordinate collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; 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 waste, and monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under the supervision of a nurse.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce patient and family infection-control education under the direction of the care manager or designee, as allowed by state law.
Support newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, coordinate transitional care, reinforce education, and liaise with staff to support the patient experience and planned care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.