Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care • Methuen, MA

7d • $17 - $27 • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The role sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supports quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and achievement of organizational quality goals.

The technician welcomes and monitors patients, performs pre- and post-treatment assessments, obtains vital signs and weights, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, responds to treatment issues as directed, and documents patient status and treatment parameters. The role also performs machine safety checks, prepares and collects laboratory specimens, maintains treatment records, supports infection-control practices, and helps train applicable patient-care staff under a nurse’s supervision.

In the 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, and assists with transition to the patient’s chosen modality. The position involves direct patient care 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 CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
• Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
• Ability to perform the position’s physical functions, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; assisting with patient movement and ambulation; and lifting solutions and supplies up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, with assistance or material-assist devices available for heavier items.
• Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
• Complete the Ishihara color-blindness test as a condition of employment; failure 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

• Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
• 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 and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
• Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
• Respond to intradialytic problems and unusual patient findings with interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis therapy and evaluate patients before discharge.
• Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
• Document treatment parameters, assessments, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in the required records and clinical application.
• Perform machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and immediately clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
• Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient-care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
• Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits; reinforce infection-control practices and education as directed.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and arrange for omitted entries to be corrected by appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and laboratory requisitions, and compile and place paperwork in the appropriate chart location.
• Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate visits with appropriate staff disciplines, and help patients understand home-dialysis products and options.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
• Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly work environment and follow organizational business policies, procedures, and ethical business practices.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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