Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Annapolis, MD

9d • 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 setup and operation of hemodialysis machines, patient care and monitoring, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality improvement activities and patient satisfaction goals. The technician follows organizational policies and procedures and applicable state and federal regulations.

The PCT supports patients throughout dialysis treatments by assessing their wellbeing and vascular access, taking and recording vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments as prescribed, monitoring responses, addressing treatment issues as directed, and documenting care. The role also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, supporting infection control, maintaining equipment and supplies, contributing to continuous quality improvement, and assisting with patient education and staff training under appropriate supervision.

In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with other staff, supports patients in understanding treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality and with TCU inventory and supply ordering.

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 to continue employment.
• Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
• Pass the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
• Ability to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation, with equipment or coworker assistance as available.
• Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
• Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force.
• Ability to frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Welcome assigned patients and inquire 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; perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations and patient identification.
• Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
• Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
• Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatments according to established procedures, assess patients before termination of venous access and discharge, and obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
• Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
• Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and entries in the designated clinical application.
• Report significant information, changes in condition, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy; document interventions and patient responses.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• 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 and assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
• Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain a safe, clean, and aesthetically appropriate environment.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, 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 Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
• Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omissions are 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 adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce patient and family infection-control education as directed and permitted by state law.
• In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
• Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to the care plan.
• Help patients understand home-dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, explain treatment options, and 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 supply ordering and inventory.
• Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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