Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Garfield Heights, OH

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT), also described as a Dialysis Technician Trainee, works as part of an outpatient 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, providing direct patient care, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality-improvement activities. No prior dialysis experience is required; the organization provides 12 full weeks of paid comprehensive training. This is a regular, full-time role with four 10-hour shifts per week, early morning start times as early as 5 a.m., and every other Saturday. Clinics are closed Sundays, and there are no overnight shifts. Employees must be available to be scheduled Monday through Saturday; requests for specific set start times or specific days each week cannot be accommodated. Temporary summer positions are not available. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated procedures as permitted, initiates and discontinues prescribed dialysis treatments, monitors patient response, records treatment data, and reports significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. Additional duties include collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining and disinfecting equipment, supporting infection control, assisting with patient education and transitional dialysis care, and completing required records and quality-improvement activities. The work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The health care facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and employees may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The role requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds to a height of 5 feet. Assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items. An Ishihara color blindness test is a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Be available for scheduling Monday through Saturday; specific set start times or specific days each week cannot be requested.
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.
Meet the role’s physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, assisting with ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions as described in the posting.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility.
Patient care experience in another field, such as STNA, phlebotomy, or EMT work.

Responsibilities

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.
Set up, operate, and perform required safety checks on hemodialysis machines, including required pretreatment alarm testing and activation of the Solution Delivery System.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their well-being since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and other required evaluations; initiate and discontinue dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge and termination of venous access.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, progress notes, and other required information accurately and on time; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omissions or corrections with appropriate staff.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment to prevent wastage; immediately clean blood spills with the appropriate disinfectant.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist in training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and support the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and process-improvement activities.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical practices, and infection-control policies; assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education and practices as directed.
For transitional care, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, coordinate care and appointments with appropriate staff, reinforce education, support understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory for the unit.