Patient Care Technician - PCT - Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Clairton, PA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setup and operation of hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean working environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. No prior dialysis experience is required. The organization provides 11 weeks of paid, on-the-job training to prepare employees for national certification. Upon certification, employees receive a pay increase and promotion. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the dialysis training program and CPR certification. The role involves direct patient care, including preparing for and monitoring dialysis treatments, documenting treatment information, collecting laboratory specimens, supporting infection control, and helping patients understand treatment and care options. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis and helps coordinate their transition to a chosen dialysis modality. The job involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. Employees may encounter infectious or contagious materials and perform frequent standing, bending, lifting, and moving of patients and supplies. Major holidays are off.

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.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; patient lifting and movement; 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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, 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.
Monitor patients’ responses to treatment, identify intradialytic problems, and provide or document interventions as directed.
Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures; assess patients before discharge and obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with 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 under nurse supervision.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly work areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Test, and 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 omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, and support patient and family education under appropriate direction.
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, coordinate appointments with relevant staff, and help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and explain treatment options.
Assist with coordination of transitions to patients’ chosen modalities and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.