Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Lafayette, IN

13d•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 and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality enhancement and continuous improvement activities. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and other delegated tasks, prepares and initiates dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, monitors treatment and patient response, and completes post-treatment procedures. The role requires accurate and timely documentation, reporting changes in patient condition, collecting laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and supplies, and following infection-control procedures. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate care and education for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, supports understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, assists with transitions to a selected modality, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The position serves the Hammond area and requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The schedule rotates across shifts between Monday and Saturday, within the hours of 4 a.m. to 9 p.m., for 36–40 hours per week.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must meet applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Dialysis experience and CCHT/CHT certification are stated as required in the posting.
Must be able to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
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.
The role involves frequent, prolonged standing and bending; heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases or materials.

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 last treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Monitor patient response, assess and address intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform treatment discontinuation 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 required safety alarms are enabled.
Accurately complete treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and other patient-treatment documentation.
Observe patients and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy; document interventions and patient responses.
Monitor vascular access and arterial and venous pressures during treatment, intervening as appropriate and reporting unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and prepare 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 nurse supervision.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly treatment areas; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, conduct required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and on time; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omissions or corrections by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, and support infection-control education for patients and families as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care and related education.
Coordinate with appropriate staff so patients receive services according to their care plan; help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, and help with TCU supply ordering and inventory.