Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Naperville, IL

13d•$18 - $27

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 setup and operation of hemodialysis machines, patient support and monitoring, and maintaining a safe and clean work environment. The technician supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts related to patient satisfaction and process improvement. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, cannulation, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patient response, documenting treatment details, and reporting changes in condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. It also includes laboratory specimen handling, infection-control practices, equipment preparation and disinfection, and participation in staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with relevant staff, supports understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, helps coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, and assists with supplies and inventory. The work involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians, as well as travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. The environment is that of a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The role also requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending, and may involve pushing or pulling equipment and lifting solutions.

Requirements

High school diploma or G.E.D.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable 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 as a condition of continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification as a condition of continued employment.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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, including required vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document or report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and follow facility policy.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Enter treatment data into the designated clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce infection-control education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as allowed by state law.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Help coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen dialysis modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required.