Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Plymouth, IN

14d•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, assisting with a safe and clean clinical environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. No dialysis experience is required; paid on-the-job training is provided. The PCT welcomes patients, monitors their condition before, during, and after treatment, performs vascular access cannulation, and carries out treatment tasks according to prescriptions, established procedures, state law, and facility policy. The position includes documenting treatment data and patient responses, reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor, collecting laboratory specimens, and supporting infection control practices. The role also supports the Transitional Care Unit by following newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforcing education, helping coordinate care and modality transitions, and assisting with equipment and supply needs. Work involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and regular physical activity including lifting and moving patients and supplies.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
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.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and assisting with patient lifting, movement, and ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift 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 locations within the community; 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 is preferred.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, 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 vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patients’ responses to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform machine safety checks, ensure required safety alarms are enabled, and conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and responses accurately and in a timely manner.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
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 under nurse supervision.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; support infection control audits, practices, policies, and patient and family education as directed.
Prepare initial patient charts, complete paperwork, review treatment sheets for completeness, and prepare laboratory requisitions.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce new-patient education, help coordinate appointments with care team disciplines, and support understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit; assist with peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations and transitions to the patient’s selected modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe and clean work environment and follow organization policies, procedures, and ethical business practices.