Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Camillus, NY

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 organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The PCT also supports quality-enhancement and continuous-quality-improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, takes and documents vital signs and weights, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, and responds to treatment-related concerns as directed. The role includes monitoring machine safety and patient response, documenting treatment information, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining infection-control practices, and helping patients understand relevant aspects of their care and treatment options. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, helps coordinate their care and education, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with equipment and supply readiness. The position involves direct patient care and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Dialysis experience is not required; paid training is provided. No on-call work, overnight shifts, or Sunday work is indicated.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must have any required state licensure, education, and training.
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.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and lifting solutions weighing up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.
Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy as part of the health care team under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform vascular-access evaluations, and document patient identification and treatment information.
Cannulate vascular access and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, including programming treatment parameters and ensuring required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge and document treatment and post-treatment assessments.
Conduct machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and prepare and operate dialysis equipment and the Solution Delivery System.
Document treatment data, vital signs, machine parameters, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in the required records and clinical application.
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, and clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage; support a safe and clean environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits; follow and reinforce infection-control practices and education as directed and permitted by state law.
Prepare initial patient charts, compile paperwork, review treatment sheets for completeness, and help ensure missing or omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
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 information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, explain treatment options, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with coordination of the patient’s selected modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.