Patient Care Technician - PCT - training provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Pawtucket, RI

7d•Onsite

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The PCT contributes to patient satisfaction and process improvements intended to help patients achieve quality goals. This is a full-time position with rotating 10-hour shifts scheduled between 4:30 AM and 9:30 PM EST, Monday through Saturday. The schedule includes four shifts per week and two Saturdays per month. Part-time and per-diem options are not available. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients during dialysis, completes pre- and post-treatment assessments, initiates and discontinues treatment as prescribed, monitors vascular access and patient response, documents treatment information, and reports changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also includes laboratory specimen handling, equipment preparation and cleaning, infection-control support, record keeping, and assistance with patient education and transitional dialysis care. The work takes place in a health care facility and involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. Employees may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Day-to-day work includes desk and computer tasks as well as direct patient care, frequent prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Equipment or coworkers may assist with patient handling and heavier items. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline and complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification successfully for continued employment. Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must complete the organization’s dialysis training program successfully; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Must obtain CPR certification successfully; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. Failing the test does not automatically preclude employment; reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to perform the described physical functions, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient assistance and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions and supplies.
Flexibility to work rotating 10-hour shifts between 4:30 AM and 9:30 PM EST, Monday through Saturday, four shifts per week, including two Saturdays per month.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist with patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their well-being since their prior treatment.
Evaluate vascular access patency, 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.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures; obtain required vital signs, evaluate patients before termination and discharge, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment information accurately and promptly, including vital signs, treatment parameters, assessments, interventions, and patient responses.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy; monitor vascular access pressures and intervene, document, and report as needed.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, 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 to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and infection-control requirements; help maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding testing, initiate the Solution Delivery System, and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures or corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education for patients and families under appropriate direction.
Support transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients through their first four weeks, coordinate care and appointments with appropriate staff, and reinforce education as allowed by state law.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.