Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care • Hackensack, NJ

1d • $20 - $32 • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of the dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines and helping maintain a safe, clean working environment. The technician supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities, including initiatives related to patient satisfaction and improved patient outcomes.

The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient assessment, vascular access care, treatment initiation and discontinuation, monitoring, documentation, and response to patient concerns or changes in condition. It also involves specimen collection and handling, infection-control practices, equipment preparation and cleaning, and participation in staff and patient education.

In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment and home dialysis options, and assists with modality transitions, equipment use, and supply inventory. The position includes desk and computer work, patient and staff interaction, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work takes place in a healthcare facility and may involve exposure to infectious materials, frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and handling solutions and equipment. Employees must take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failure 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 applicable state or CMS timeline.
• Meet all 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 and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
• Take 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

• Assist healthcare team members with patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency; cannulate access and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
• Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow rates; calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
• Evaluate and address intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient responses, and report significant information or changes in condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Perform required vital-sign checks and functions for reinfusion and treatment discontinuation; evaluate the patient before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
• Document treatment evaluations, vital signs, weights, treatment parameters, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
• Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, observe patients, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
• Evaluate vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures; intervene as appropriate and report unusual findings.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Clean blood spills immediately with the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
• Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
• Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
• Prepare for dialysis treatments, document as required, perform pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly into the designated clinical application.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected 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, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce infection-control 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 information for new patients as allowed by state law, and liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
• Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options, including demonstrating 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 supply ordering and inventory.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Potential performance-based bonuses, depending on company and individual performance, for bonus-eligible positions

What This Job Offers

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