Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Chicago, IL

8d•$18 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe, 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, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality-enhancement and continuous-improvement activities related to patient care and satisfaction. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, performs and documents pre-, during-, and post-treatment assessments, obtains vital signs and weights, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, and responds to treatment-related issues as directed. The position also involves maintaining treatment records, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, monitoring safety and infection-control practices, cleaning and preparing equipment, and supporting patient education and transitional dialysis care. Work is performed in a health care facility and includes direct patient care, physical activity, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations.

Requirements

High school diploma or G.E.D. required.
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.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
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 perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient lifting and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform access evaluations, and complete patient identification and treatment documentation.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders and program machines for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling.
Monitor patients and machine safety during treatment, evaluate intradialytic issues, and provide or document interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, evaluate patients before and after treatment, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and assess patients before discharge.
Record treatment parameters and patient information accurately and promptly, including treatment sheets and applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in condition, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas according to facility policy.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently; perform dialysis-machine preparation and required alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, business practices, and infection-control requirements.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing or incorrect entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimen collection by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control education and practices for staff, patients, and families as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, coordinate transitional care, reinforce education, and help schedule care disciplines according to plan.
Support patients' understanding of home dialysis products, home dialysis benefits, treatment options, and 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 supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.