Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Albany, NY

12d•$15 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician 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 involves setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with a safe and clean care environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The technician supports patients throughout treatment, documents care, monitors treatment response, and reports changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also supports patient education and transitional dialysis care, including helping new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforcing information about treatment and home dialysis options, and coordinating care with other staff. Paid training is provided. After training, the stated schedule is 5:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., three days per week, with two Saturdays per month and no Sundays. The work includes desk and computer tasks, direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The role requires patient lifting and movement, assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and occasional equipment pushing or pulling. Training, state or national certification, and CPR certification are required as described below.

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 applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including frequent and 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, as high as five feet.
Employees are required to 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

Provide patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous 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 evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and report significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform pre- and post-treatment evaluations and document treatment parameters, vital signs, weights, and other required information.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient and machine safety checks.
Discontinue dialysis according to procedures, evaluate patients before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and document the care provided.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as needed and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare specimens, and collect, label, store, and arrange courier pickup according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare machines and the treatment area, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities, enter treatment data accurately and promptly, and review treatment sheets for completeness and required corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare and print laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection control audits, reinforce infection control practices, follow infection control policies, and support patient and family infection control 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 information for new patients and liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary visits.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and available treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and help coordinate transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.