Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Poughkeepsie, NY

7d•$17 - $27

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 follows organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable state and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and participates in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational goals. Dialysis experience is not required; paid training is provided. The position provides direct patient care, including preparing patients for treatment, monitoring them during dialysis, documenting treatment data, evaluating vascular access, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also assists with patient education, supports infection-control practices, helps train applicable staff under nurse supervision, and performs equipment preparation and cleaning. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, and assists patients in understanding home dialysis options. The role may require travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and may include travel to regional, Business Unit, and corporate meetings. The work takes place in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. No on-call work, overnight shifts, or Sundays are indicated.

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.
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.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate 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 dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and report significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform treatment discontinuation and reinfusion procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient and machine safety checks.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly 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 under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis machines and conduct required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing; initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and coordinate laboratory specimen pickup.
Support infection-control audits, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under the direction of the Center Manager or designee as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients and coordinate with appropriate staff to ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and support transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.