Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Columbus, OH

13d•Onsite

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. The role follows organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted, obtains vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatments, monitors patient responses, responds to treatment issues, and documents care. The role also involves preparing and collecting laboratory specimens, maintaining supplies and equipment, supporting infection control, and completing clinical records. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician helps coordinate and educate newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis and supports their understanding of treatment and modality options. This is a regular, full-time outpatient clinic role in Obetz, Ohio. The clinic operates Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; the employee works three 12-hour shifts per week. No overnight shifts are required. The employer provides 12 full weeks of paid comprehensive training. Continued employment depends on successfully completing the dialysis training program and CPR certification.

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.
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.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
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 regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation.
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; assistance devices or a two-person assist program 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 or related facility is preferred; experience such as STNA, phlebotomist, or EMT is a plus.
Prior dialysis experience is not required.

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up, operate, and conduct safety checks on hemodialysis machines, including required pretreatment alarm testing and solution delivery system setup.
Welcome patients and ask about their wellbeing since their prior treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor vascular access during treatment.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform patient evaluations before treatment, before termination, and before discharge.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program treatment parameters, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate treatment problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly in the required records and clinical application.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of laboratory specimens according to requirements.
Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in continuous quality improvement activities and support patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals.
Follow infection control policies, support staff and patient adherence, assist with infection control audits, and reinforce patient and family education as permitted by state law.
For Transitional Care Unit patients, follow new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, coordinate transitional care and staff appointments, reinforce education, and assist patients in understanding treatment options and home dialysis.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations, coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure required nursing signatures and corrections, prepare initial patient charts, and prepare laboratory requisitions.