Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Fitchburg, WI

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the 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. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment, assesses vascular access, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures, responds to treatment concerns, and documents care. The position also includes preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and infection-control practices, assisting with staff and patient education, and supporting transitional care for new dialysis patients. Clinic treatment hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 5 a.m.–9 p.m., and Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 5 a.m.–4 p.m.; shifts rotate. Paid training is provided.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
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 to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and lowering solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and occasionally pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education with other health care team members about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last 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 and weights, and perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling as prescribed.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide and document interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform functions required to discontinue treatment, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and perform patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, and other patient-care information accurately and promptly; report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory 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.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Tests, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures.
Prepare initial patient charts, compile paperwork, prepare laboratory requisitions, and ensure lab specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, follow infection-control policies, reinforce infection-control practices, and support patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
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 as permitted by state law, and liaise with staff to coordinate services according to the patient’s plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with coordinating patients’ modality transitions, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.