Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Gary, IN

4d•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 and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean working environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration, records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors patient responses, responds to treatment concerns, and documents care. Duties also include preparing and collecting laboratory specimens, maintaining treatment records, cleaning and testing equipment, supporting infection control, and helping train applicable staff under a nurse’s supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports new patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with modality transitions, supply ordering, and inventory. The position is based in Gary as an area float PCT and requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work takes place in a healthcare facility and includes direct patient care, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must meet applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform frequent, prolonged standing and bending; regularly lift and move patients and assist with ambulation; frequently lift or lower solutions up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; and occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Availability to work Monday through Saturday between 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on rotating shifts.
Must have CCHT or CHT certification, as indicated in the posting’s requirement for dialysis experience and certification.

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.
Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights; assess vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings.
Monitor patient response to therapy, identify intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess patients before discharge, and apply appropriate dressings after achieving hemostasis.
Calculate and enter prescribed machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Report significant changes in patient condition and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Conduct patient and machine safety checks and monitor vascular access pressures during treatment.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Maintain safe and clean surroundings; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between patients.
Prepare for treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required signatures and corrections are obtained from appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection control audits, support adherence to infection control practices, and reinforce infection control education as directed.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education for new patients, coordinate appointments with relevant staff, and help patients understand home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate.
Assist with coordinating transitions to patients’ chosen modalities and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and other community locations as required.