Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Pueblo, CO

1d•$17 - $23•Onsite

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 technician follows organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The role involves setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, obtains and documents vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment issues as directed. The role also includes operating and checking dialysis equipment, documenting treatment parameters and patient responses, collecting laboratory specimens, maintaining infection control practices, and supporting patient education and transitional care. Training is provided; continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification. The position includes desk and computer work, interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work takes place in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct patient care includes frequent standing, bending, lifting, moving and assisting patients, and handling dialysis solutions and equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. The hourly pay range is $17.00–$23.00, dependent on work location and candidate qualifications. The position offers medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and parental leave.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must 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 meet the position’s physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment as described.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

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.
Provide or assist with patient-specific education regarding dialysis adequacy, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and allowed by state law.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, during-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures, evaluate patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly in the required treatment sheets, progress notes, and clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and coordinate collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy, and promptly clean blood spills with the appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted entries or corrections with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for placement in the chart; prepare or print laboratory requisitions and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Support infection-control practices, assist with infection-control audits, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family infection-control education under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce new-patient education and care, coordinate staff visits according to the patient’s plan, and support understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, 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 coordination of transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with supply ordering and inventory for the Transitional Care Unit.
Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics and follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.