Patient Care Technician - PCT - Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Newburyport, MA

19h

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean environment, documenting care, and participating in quality improvement activities. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout treatment; assesses vascular access; obtains vital signs and weights; initiates, monitors, and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders; responds to patient or machine concerns; and reports changes in condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also includes specimen collection and preparation, infection-control practices, patient education support, and accurate clinical recordkeeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate newly admitted patients’ first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education about treatment options and home dialysis, supports modality transitions, and assists with supplies and inventory. The role includes paid, on-the-job training for 11 weeks; successful completion of the dialysis training program and CPR certification are required for continued employment. Employees must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline. The work includes desk and computer tasks and direct patient care in a health care facility. It requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, business-unit, or corporate meetings may also be required. The role regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and frequent prolonged standing and bending. Employees may occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet. The workplace may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials. Reasonable accommodations may be considered for qualified individuals.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification for continued employment.
Must meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing and bending, and lifting or lowering solutions as described.
Must 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 is preferred.
Experience as a nursing assistant, CNA, or phlebotomist is identified as relevant.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Provide patient-specific education support on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Assess vascular access before and during treatment, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform relevant patient evaluations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and initiate, monitor, and discontinue treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient responses, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge and document treatment and patient status accurately and promptly.
Conduct machine safety checks and required pretreatment machine alarm testing, initiate the Solution Delivery System, and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant and follow infection-control policies and procedures.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently, prevent wastage, and assist with supply ordering and inventory for the Transitional Care Unit.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist in training applicable direct patient care staff under a nurse’s supervision.
Complete clinical records, treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, patient charts, and lab requisitions; review records for completeness and correct omissions through appropriate staff.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits, and support patient and staff adherence to infection-control practices.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care with appropriate staff.
Reinforce education for new patients and families, support understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly work areas and follow organizational policies, procedures, and ethical business practices.