Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Kaukauna, WI

13d•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 following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulatory requirements. The PCT supports Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including initiatives related to patient satisfaction and process improvement. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients before, during, and after dialysis; obtains and documents weights, vital signs, vascular access assessments, treatment parameters, and patient responses; initiates and discontinues treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures; and reports changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also involves laboratory specimen collection and preparation, treatment documentation, equipment checks and disinfection, infection-control practices, and assistance with patient education and staff training under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports understanding of home dialysis options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. No dialysis experience is required; extensive on-the-job training is provided. The role is based at the Kaukauna, Wisconsin clinic and requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The work environment is a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Day-to-day work includes computer and desk tasks as well as direct patient care and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Physical requirements include frequent, prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, assisting with ambulation, and frequently lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. The employee may occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees 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.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet 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 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 will be considered.
Ability to perform the described physical functions, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Provide patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and under permitted supervision.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, during-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required vascular access evaluations and patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patients’ responses to therapy, assess and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant information or changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform and document treatment discontinuation procedures, assess patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
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 needed, document, and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under a nurse’s supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe and clean surroundings.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required 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; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare and print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and support patient and family education under direction as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, 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 appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist in coordinating transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with unit supply ordering and inventory.