Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Decatur, IN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician 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 role follows organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. Responsibilities include setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors treatment response, and documents care. The role also includes addressing treatment-related issues, collecting laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and supplies, following infection-control procedures, and supporting patient education. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician helps coordinate newly admitted patients’ first four weeks of dialysis and supports education about treatment options, including home dialysis. The position involves direct patient care and work in a health care facility, including interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Work includes frequent standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting and handling supplies and solutions. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meeting travel may also be required. No dialysis experience is required, and paid on-the-job training is provided.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement, and lifting or lowering solutions and supplies.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and follow applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access, 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.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Monitor patient response and vascular access during treatment; identify problems, intervene as directed, document findings, and report significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Document treatment information accurately and promptly in treatment sheets and designated clinical applications; review sheets for completeness and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, store them as required, and ensure collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; immediately clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Maintain a safe and clean work environment and follow infection-control policies and procedures.
Support patient and family education and assist with education of applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and assist with infection-control audits.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
In the Transitional Care Unit, reinforce patient education, coordinate staff visits according to the care plan, support understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assist with transition to the patient's selected modality.
In the Transitional Care Unit, set up and perform treatments on unit machines, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.