Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Albany, NY

4d • $15 - $24

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 setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with patient care and education, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting quality improvement activities. No prior dialysis experience is required; the organization provides 12 weeks of paid, structured training with an assigned preceptor and nurse educator.

The PCT welcomes patients, monitors their condition and response to treatment, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and other delegated tasks as permitted, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, documents treatment information, and reports changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also involves specimen collection and handling, infection-control practices, equipment cleaning, and maintaining treatment supplies.

In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate care for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, supports transitions to a chosen modality, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations and may involve travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. Work takes place in a healthcare facility and may involve exposure to infectious materials, heavy lifting and moving patients, prolonged standing, and bending.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• Meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
• Demonstrated commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
• Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
• Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
• Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Provide dialysis therapy as part of the healthcare team under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
• Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and perform required machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing.
• Welcome patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations.
• Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
• Monitor patients' responses to dialysis, identify intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and document the patient's response.
• Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
• Document treatment parameters and patient information accurately and promptly, including treatment sheets and progress notes when applicable.
• Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, arrange their collection, and store them according to laboratory specifications.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
• Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment and follow organizational business policies and ethical practices.
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness, signatures, and corrections; prepare initial patient charts and lab requisitions.
• Assist with infection-control audits, follow infection-control policies, support adherence, and reinforce patient and family education under appropriate direction.
• In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
• Reinforce education for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
• Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions 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.

Benefits

• 12 weeks of paid, structured training with an assigned preceptor and nurse educator.
• Up to $4,400 in tuition reimbursement per calendar year.
• Major holidays off.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off.
• Parental leave.

What This Job Offers

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