Patient Care Technician - Dialysis - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Salisbury, MD

6d•$17 - $28

About The Position

This PCT 3 position 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 technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, supports a safe and clean work environment, and participates in the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The role provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patient response, documenting treatment information, and reporting changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. It also supports patient and staff education, clinical staff training and competency, infection control, facility maintenance, record keeping, and the coordination of care for newly admitted patients in the Transitional Care Unit. Work includes interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians, with travel between assigned facilities and other locations potentially required.

Requirements

At least five years of dialysis experience is required, as stated in the position introduction.
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by CMS, along with any applicable state licensure, education, and training.
At least five years of patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is listed as preferred in the experience section.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification are required for continued employment.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Attendance and active participation in applicable preceptor training programs.
Attend Fresenius and publicly offered skill-based training as assigned by the Clinical Manager.
Must take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and assisting with patient lifting, movement, and ambulation; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance devices or coworkers may be used.

Nice To Haves

At least five years of patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility.

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education regarding 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 for patency, cannulate access, 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, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Recognize and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in the required records and clinical application.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare specimens, and ensure they are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently; immediately clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist them as applicable.
Participate in recruitment, clinical orientation, staff training, precepting, and competency evaluations or audits for appropriate personnel.
Collaborate with clinical managers, education coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members to support quality standards, regulatory compliance, training, and continuous improvement.
Educate appropriate personnel about facility water systems and environmental integrity, including patient and staff safety, as allowed by local regulations.
Support communication and implementation of training and organizational development programs and initiatives.
Maintain a safe, clean facility; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis equipment and conduct required machine alarm tests, including Pressure Holding Testing (PHT); initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in CQI activities, enter treatment data, review treatment sheets for completeness, and prepare patient charts and laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection-control audits, monitor and reinforce staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, and participate in related education and survey responses as directed.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce new-patient education, help coordinate appointments with appropriate disciplines, and explain home dialysis products and treatment options as allowed by state law.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and support TCU supply ordering and inventory.