Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care • Wilmington, DE

14d • $18 - $30

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, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and outcomes.

The technician welcomes and monitors patients through dialysis treatment, performs vascular access assessments and cannulation, obtains and records patient weights and vital signs, initiates and discontinues treatment according to prescribed orders and procedures, monitors patient responses, and reports significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor. The position also includes treatment documentation, laboratory specimen handling, machine safety checks, infection control, patient education support, 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 and appointments with appropriate staff, supports patients in understanding home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with modality transitions, equipment, and inventory.

The work includes desk and computer tasks, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The environment is a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and occasional pushing or pulling equipment. The role may require frequent lifting of solutions up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

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 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 perform the described physical duties, including patient lifting and movement, assistance with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting solutions as specified.

Nice To Haves

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

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 prior treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required pre-treatment vascular access evaluations and patient identification.
• Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
• Calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
• Monitor patients and dialysis machines during treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
• Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform the required procedures to discontinue treatment, including standing and sitting blood pressure checks, hemostasis, and dressings.
• Evaluate patients before discharge and document treatment evaluations, vital signs, weights, parameters, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly.
• Report significant information, patient condition changes, unusual findings, and vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, arrange their storage and collection, and prepare laboratory requisitions.
• Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
• Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and infection control practices.
• Maintain safe, clean, and orderly work areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
• Prepare machines for treatment, perform required pretreatment alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures or corrections.
• Prepare initial patient charts and organize admission paperwork.
• Assist with infection control audits and reinforce infection control education for patients and families under appropriate direction.
• Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
• Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate visits with appropriate staff, and support understanding of home dialysis products and benefits.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as applicable.
• Assist with coordination of transitions to patients’ chosen modalities and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Potential for 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