Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Lafayette, IN

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, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setup and operation of hemodialysis machines and for maintaining a safe, clean working environment. The technician supports Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. The position provides patient education and dialysis treatment support, including assessing vascular access, taking and recording vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patients and machines, responding to and documenting interventions, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting changes in patient condition. It also includes preparing and maintaining treatment records, supporting infection-control practices, cleaning and preparing equipment, and assisting with staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with modality transitions and supply inventory. This is a full-time role of 36–40 hours per week in Hammond, Indiana. The employee must be available to work between Monday and Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dialysis training is provided. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED 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 the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Able to perform physical functions including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; may occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Monitor patient responses, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform prescribed or directed interventions, and document outcomes.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient and machine safety checks.
Document treatment parameters, assessments, interventions, and other patient-care information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information, condition changes, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, store them according to specifications, and coordinate their collection.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient-care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness and required corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Support infection-control audits, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families as permitted by law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education for new patients, coordinate care with appropriate staff, and help patients understand home dialysis products and treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit; assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities and with supply ordering and inventory.