Patient Care Technician - PCT - training provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Providence, RI

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions 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 setup and operation of hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and participation in quality improvement activities that support patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The technician welcomes patients, obtains and records pre- and post-treatment information, assesses vascular access, initiates and monitors dialysis treatments, responds to treatment issues as directed, and documents care accurately. The position also involves collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining infection-control practices, cleaning and preparing equipment, supporting staff training, and completing clinical records. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports patient understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with equipment setup and supply inventory. The role requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community, and may require travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings.

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.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending; heavy lifting and moving of patients; and assisting patients with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.
Take 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

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, training, and regulations.
Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, vascular-access evaluations, and other treatment information.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient responses and machine safety, identify and report changes or unusual findings, and perform and document interventions as directed.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge and assess them before treatment termination.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and maintain a safe, clean environment.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required signatures and corrections are completed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Support infection-control audits, practices, procedures, and patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee, as allowed by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate services, and assist patients in understanding home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, and assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.