Patient Care Technician

Fresenius Medical Care•Monroe, MI

13d•Onsite

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 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 technician helps provide patient-specific education, monitors patients during treatment, documents care, and reports significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis in the Transitional Care Unit, reinforcing education, coordinating care with relevant staff, explaining treatment options, and assisting with transitions to a chosen modality. Work takes place in a health care facility and includes direct patient care, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. On-the-job training is provided; previous dialysis experience is not required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient ambulation, and regular heavy lifting and moving of patients.
Ability to push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
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.

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 as delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, evaluations, and treatment parameters.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, including programming machine settings and evaluating the patient before discharge.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, assess and intervene in treatment problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform machine safety checks and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment information accurately and promptly in the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and designated clinical applications; review sheets for completeness and correct omissions through appropriate staff.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment, conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Support patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Participate in continuous quality improvement activities and infection control audits; follow and reinforce infection control practices and education as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, coordinate transitional care and scheduled services, reinforce education, explain home dialysis and treatment options, and assist with modality transitions.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organization policies, procedures, business practices, and customer service standards.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.