Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Little Falls, MN

3d•$16 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) 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. This is a float position covering clinics within approximately a one-hour radius of St. Cloud, including Little Falls, Princeton, Litchfield, Buffalo, and Mora. Previous dialysis experience is not required; on-the-job training is provided. The role includes preparing and operating hemodialysis equipment, supporting patients before, during, and after treatment, documenting treatment and patient information, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality improvement and infection-control activities. The PCT may also support transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients, including education, coordination, and assistance with understanding treatment and home dialysis options. The position involves travel between assigned facilities and other community locations. Work takes place in a health care facility and includes direct patient care, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. The role requires successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification for continued employment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform essential physical duties, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting and lowering solutions and supplies.

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 previous treatment.
Provide patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and within applicable 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, weights, and patient evaluations, including initial identification.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment times, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate treatment-related problems, intervene as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access and monitor arterial and venous pressures during treatment; intervene as needed and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and other patient care information accurately and promptly in required records and clinical applications.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks, including required pretreatment alarm testing and Pressure Holding testing.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; immediately clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste; initiate the Solution Delivery System as required.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits; follow and reinforce infection-control practices and education as directed.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and coordinate specimen collection by the appropriate courier.
For the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate planned services, and assist patients in understanding treatment options and home dialysis products and benefits.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstrations of peritoneal dialysis setup, and support transition to the patient’s selected modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly work environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, and ethical business practices.