Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Plainfield, IL

10d•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 role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with a safe and clean clinical environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. No previous dialysis experience is required; on-the-job dialysis training is provided. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, checks vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted, takes and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatments according to orders and procedures, monitors patient response, documents care, and reports changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes machine safety checks, specimen collection and preparation, infection-control practices, cleaning and disinfecting equipment, and maintaining accurate treatment records. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with other staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with transition planning and supplies. The role is based at the Plainfield clinic and may require floating to other clinics in the region. Work is scheduled for 40 hours per week on rotating shifts, including days and Saturdays, with some shifts starting at 4:00 a.m. Shifts are 8–12 hours, and the clinic is closed Sundays. The work takes place in a health care facility and involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians, as well as travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Work may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials, frequent prolonged standing, bending, and direct patient care that regularly includes heavy lifting and moving patients. Employees may need to lift solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds, and may push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara color blindness test; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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.
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 meet the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and 40 pounds occasionally.
Must take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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 last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and patient evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing.
Monitor patient response to treatment, identify problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, patient observations, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently and help prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, ethical practices, and infection-control requirements.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness.
Prepare initial patient charts, compile paperwork, and prepare laboratory requisitions as needed.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with modality transition.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.