Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Detroit, MI

11d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician 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, along with applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, helping maintain a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities that support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides patient support throughout dialysis treatment, including collecting vital signs and weights, evaluating and cannulating vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures, monitoring the patient's response, documenting treatment and interventions, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also supports patient education, laboratory specimen collection, infection control, equipment cleaning, and preparation of treatment areas and machines. 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 options and home dialysis, and helps coordinate transitions to a patient's chosen modality. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations and includes regular direct patient care and physical work.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Hold any applicable state licensure and complete required education and training.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting with ambulation, and lifting and moving patients.
Ability to lift or lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; equipment aids, coworkers, a two-person assist program, and material-assist devices may be used for heavier items.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.

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 previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required identification and evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients' responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform prescribed or directed interventions, and document patient responses.
Assess patients before discharge and after termination of treatment, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and other patient treatment information accurately and promptly.
Report significant patient information, changes in condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, arrange appropriate storage and collection, and ensure pickup by the laboratory courier.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
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.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow applicable policies, and reinforce patient and family education under direction as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as allowed by state law, liaise with appropriate staff, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and explain treatment options.
Assist with coordination of transitions to the patient's chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.