Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of the dialysis health care team to support safe and effective home dialysis therapy and patient training under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, particularly the Home Therapies registered nurse. The role assists with home dialysis equipment setup and maintenance of a safe, clean home therapy environment, while following organizational policies, applicable laws, regulations, and training. The technician supports quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities and helps patients and care partners with treatment-related needs. General responsibilities include reinforcing home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis training as permitted, collecting and documenting patient information and vital signs, reviewing treatment records, preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining rooms and equipment, managing supplies, scheduling appointments, supporting patient registration and connected health, and assisting with records and administrative work. The technician may also support home visits and provide home support where applicable and permissible. For home hemodialysis, the role may include preparing, operating, disinfecting, and troubleshooting dialysis equipment; preparing supplies and dialysate; assessing access and monitoring treatment; documenting patient and machine information; performing safety checks; reporting changes to the HT RN; and assisting with water and dialysate testing. For peritoneal dialysis, duties may include reinforcing training, troubleshooting cyclers and connectivity, performing phlebotomy when qualified and authorized, preparing cyclers and solutions, and assisting with exit-site care. The technician also contributes to staff recruitment, clinical orientation, ongoing training, and efforts to increase awareness of home therapies. The work includes desk and computer tasks, direct patient interaction, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and physical patient-care duties. The work environment is typical of a health care facility, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by CMS.
Any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational 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.
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.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and corporate meetings may be required.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, and bending.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force and lift solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility.

Responsibilities

Reinforce home hemodialysis and/or peritoneal dialysis training as permitted by law.
Welcome patients, obtain vital signs and weights, and gather information for clinic visit intake.
Communicate and collaborate with patients, care partners, nurses, providers, and other team members.
Obtain and review treatment records, report missing or abnormal data, and assist with treatment, medication, and nutritional supplement reconciliation.
Assist HT RNs with home visits and provide home support when applicable and permissible.
Prepare laboratory collection supplies and specimens for shipping; assist with transplant-related specimen tracking and shipping and reinforce transplant education.
Complete and document opening and closing chores; disinfect equipment and prepare training, treatment, and exam rooms.
Stock rooms and manage supplies to maximize use and minimize waste; assist patients and care partners with supply ordering and inventory.
Schedule appointments and contact patients or caregivers with dates, times, and reminders.
Support patient registration and use of connected health; maintain logs and tracking.
Participate in medical-record, infection-control, and other audits; help collect admission documentation and maintain patient charts.
Perform clerical duties, including answering phones, faxing, email, and contacting provider offices.
Set up, tear down, program, test, and disinfect home hemodialysis machines as directed; troubleshoot machinery, tools, and connectivity.
Prepare dialysate and HHD supplies according to directions and standing or provider orders.
Evaluate dialysis access before treatment, document findings, initiate treatment, monitor and document patient status and machine data, and complete required safety checks.
Report significant patient-status changes to the HT RN, provide directed and permissible interventions, and document them.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, report findings to the HT RN, and ensure access hemostasis before leaving the treatment area.
Assist with quarterly, semi-annual, and annual water and dialysate testing as directed.
Troubleshoot PD cyclers, modems, and connectivity; set up cyclers and prepare and warm PD solutions as directed.
Perform phlebotomy for prescribed laboratory testing when directed and qualified, and assist with exit-site care and PD equipment tracking.
Participate in recruitment, clinical orientation, ongoing staff training, and initiatives to improve awareness of home therapies.