Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Hoffman Estates, IL

11d•$17 - $27•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, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities. No previous dialysis experience is required; on-the-job training is provided. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, supports dialysis treatments, documents treatment information, reports changes in patient condition, and assists with laboratory specimen collection and infection control. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician helps coordinate newly admitted patients’ first four weeks of dialysis, reinforce education, and support transitions to patients’ chosen modalities. The role is based at the Hoffman Estates clinic. The clinic operates on rotating days and Saturdays, with shifts lasting 8–12 hours and some shifts starting at 3:30 a.m. The schedule is 36 hours per week. The work involves direct patient care, standing for prolonged periods, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations may be required.

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.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including prolonged standing, bending, patient assistance, and lifting solutions and supplies.
Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred.

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.
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 vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and other patient treatment information accurately and promptly.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, and arrange their collection according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment, conduct required machine alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under a nurse’s supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection control audits; follow and reinforce infection control practices.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing entries are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and laboratory requisitions, and collect, prepare, and store laboratory samples.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and help coordinate their care and appointments.
Reinforce education for new patients and families as permitted by state law, including treatment options and home dialysis products and benefits.
Help patients understand treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup, and coordinate transitions to their chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.