Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Lacey, WA

12d • $16 - $25

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 organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and participates in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities aimed at improving patient satisfaction and outcomes.

The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patients and vascular access, obtaining and documenting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders, monitoring patient responses, addressing treatment issues as directed, collecting laboratory specimens, and communicating changes in condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also maintains accurate treatment records, performs machine and safety checks, prepares and disinfects equipment and work areas, and supports infection-control practices.

In a Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, supports transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, and assists with supplies and inventory. The role includes desk and computer work, interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work takes place in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious materials, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• Meet any 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 to remain employed.
• Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and supplies.

Nice To Haves

• Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their prior treatment.
• Assess 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 and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
• Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
• Monitor patients and machine safety during treatment, assess responses, address treatment issues as directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Perform reinfusion and treatment-discontinuation tasks, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
• Document treatment data, vital signs, parameters, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently, and clean blood spills according to facility policy.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
• Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform 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 nurse supervision.
• Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits, and reinforce infection-control practices and education as directed.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
• In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
• Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to plan.
• Help patients understand home-dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; support transitions to the patient’s chosen modality.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Potential performance-based bonuses for bonus-eligible positions, depending on company and individual performance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED