Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Waynesboro, PA

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, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, helping maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities that support patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients before, during, and after dialysis; assesses vascular access; performs treatment-related tasks within delegated authority and applicable law; and responds to patient or machine concerns as directed. The role also includes documenting treatment and patient information, collecting laboratory specimens, following infection-control procedures, preparing and cleaning equipment, and supporting patient education and transitional care for newly admitted patients. No prior dialysis experience is required. The employer provides paid, on-the-job training for 11 weeks to prepare employees for national certification. Certification is followed by a pay increase and promotion. Continued employment depends on successfully completing the dialysis training program and CPR certification.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Complete 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 and CPR certification to remain employed.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and heavy lifting or moving of patients, with assistance or devices available as described.
Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet, and occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations within the community; 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 is preferred.
No prior dialysis experience is required.

Responsibilities

Assist with patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform 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 ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks and required alarm testing.
Monitor patient responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, patient evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in the designated records and clinical application.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient-care staff under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between patients.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and correct omissions through appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions as needed.
Support infection-control practices, audits, and patient and family education under the direction of the care manager or designee, as allowed by state law.
For transitional care, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional care and scheduled multidisciplinary visits.
Reinforce education for new patients, help explain home dialysis products and benefits, support understanding of treatment options including peritoneal dialysis setup, and 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 its supply ordering and inventory.