Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Fort Wayne, IN

5d•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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable regulations. Responsibilities include setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, helping maintain a safe and clean environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction initiatives. No dialysis experience is required; paid, hands-on training is provided. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, takes pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration where permitted, and initiates, monitors, and discontinues dialysis treatments according to orders and established procedures. The technician documents treatment information, responds to patient or machine concerns, reports significant changes to a nurse or supervisor, collects laboratory specimens, and maintains treatment equipment and supplies. The position also includes recordkeeping, infection-control activities, and support for newly admitted patients in the Transitional Care Unit during their first four weeks of dialysis. This includes reinforcing education, helping patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, coordinating care with other staff, and assisting with supplies and inventory. The work takes place in a health care facility and includes 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 role involves direct patient care, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving patients, and occasional pushing or pulling equipment. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not 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; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

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 in accordance with policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or as permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Check that required safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide or document interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, evaluate patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and other required patient-care information accurately and promptly.
Report significant patient-condition changes, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant 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 on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect the dialysis machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis, conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required nursing signatures and corrections are completed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and lab requisitions, and compile paperwork for appropriate chart placement.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow relevant policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under direction as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.