Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Union City, NJ

4d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals.

The technician welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment, performs and documents pre- and post-treatment assessments, operates dialysis equipment according to prescribed orders, and reports changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. Duties also include vascular access care, specimen collection and preparation, infection-control practices, equipment cleaning, accurate clinical recordkeeping, and assisting with staff and patient education.

In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with relevant staff, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, prepares and operates treatment machines, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. The position involves travel between assigned facilities and community locations and may require travel to regional, business-unit, or corporate meetings. The work takes place in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The role includes frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and handling solutions and equipment within stated weight limits. An Ishihara color-vision test is required as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Meet applicable 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 organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
• Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
• Pass the required Ishihara color-vision 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 and bending; heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; and occasional pushing or pulling requiring up to 15 pounds of force. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items.
• Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in 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.

Responsibilities

• Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform required patient 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 ultrafiltration modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
• Monitor patient responses and vascular access during treatment, intervene as prescribed or directed, document interventions and responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
• Perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
• 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 with appropriate disinfectant.
• Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse 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 and clean environment.
• Enter treatment data accurately and promptly; complete treatment sheets and applicable progress notes; review records for completeness and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and coordinate specimen collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and assist with infection-control audits and education.
• Follow infection-control policies and reinforce adherence and education for staff, patients, and families as directed and as allowed by state law.
• Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
• Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
• Reinforce education for new patients, including treatment options, home dialysis products and benefits, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit; assist with coordinating transitions to patients’ chosen modalities and 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

What This Job Offers

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