Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care • Fairview, NJ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) 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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean care environment, and contributing to the Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities.

The technician welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatments, assesses vascular access, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatment according to prescribed orders, responds to treatment issues as directed, and accurately documents care. Duties also include machine safety checks, specimen collection and preparation, infection-control practices, equipment cleaning, and preparation of supplies and treatment areas.

In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, helps patients understand treatment and home dialysis options, assists with modality transitions, and supports supply ordering and inventory. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and frequent standing, bending, and lifting.

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; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
• Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
• 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, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation.
• Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower solutions up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as 5 feet; assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.
• Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various community locations; 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 healthcare team members in providing patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
• Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
• Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
• Calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
• Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
• Monitor patient responses to dialysis, assess intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly in treatment sheets and designated clinical applications.
• Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, and report and document unusual findings.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and maintain safe, clean, and orderly treatment areas.
• Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
• Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm tests 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 help ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
• Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, and participate in patient and family infection-control education under the direction of the CM or designee, as permitted by state law.
• Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care information for new patients and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary visits.
• Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with coordination of the patient's chosen modality transition, and support TCU 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 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