Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care • Fairview, NJ

5d • $20 - $32

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supports the Quality Enhancement Program and Continuous Quality Improvement activities, including efforts to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes.

The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, assists with prescribed dialysis treatment, obtains and documents vital signs and weights, responds to treatment-related issues, and reports significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also includes patient education support, laboratory specimen handling, treatment documentation, infection-control practices, equipment preparation and disinfection, and assistance with staff training.

In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports patients in understanding home dialysis and treatment options, assists with modality transitions, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The role involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and frequent standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients or equipment.

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 to continue employment.
• Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
• Pass the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
• Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and lowering solutions, moving and assisting patients, and occasional pushing or pulling equipment.

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 previous treatment.
• Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required patient identification and vascular access 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 UF modeling.
• Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
• Evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed; document interventions and patient responses.
• Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge and treatment termination.
• Document treatment parameters, vital signs, treatment evaluations, progress notes when applicable, and other required clinical information accurately and promptly.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection-control policies and procedures.
• Prepare, organize, and use 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 safe, clean, and orderly work areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
• Prepare dialysis machines, perform required pretreatment alarm tests including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness.
• Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
• Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education and practices for staff, patients, and families as permitted by state law and under appropriate direction.
• Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education for new patients, coordinate appointments with appropriate staff disciplines, and support patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations, and coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
• Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
• Comply with organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.

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, for bonus-eligible positions

What This Job Offers

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