Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Milwaukee, WI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organizational policies and procedures, training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. No dialysis-specific experience is required; comprehensive on-the-job training is provided. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, supports patient care throughout treatment, maintains a safe and clean work environment, and contributes to the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The position includes patient education and support, treatment documentation, laboratory specimen handling, infection-control practices, and assistance with transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients. The work takes place in a health care facility and includes desk and computer work, frequent interaction with patients and staff, and travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. Direct patient care involves frequent prolonged standing, bending, and regularly lifting or moving patients. The employee may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The position requires an Ishihara color blindness test; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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.
Ability to perform the physical functions of the role, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, regularly lifting or moving patients, and frequent lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations in the community.
Complete the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform patient evaluations, and assess readiness for discharge.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, including setting machine parameters and ensuring required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems or unusual findings, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document responses, and report significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Complete accurate and timely treatment records, clinical application entries, treatment sheets, progress notes where applicable, and other required documentation.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment, clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant, and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and support patient and staff adherence to infection-control policies and practices.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits and education as assigned.
For transitional care patients, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate care with appropriate staff and disciplines.
Reinforce education for new patients, support understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, 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.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical practices, and customer service standards.