Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Wilmington, NC

13d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) 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 position follows organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The role provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including checking patient wellbeing and vascular access, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders, monitoring patients and machine safety, documenting treatment details, responding to concerns, and reporting changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. Duties also include laboratory specimen collection and preparation, infection control, equipment cleaning, supply management, and clinical recordkeeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, explains home dialysis and treatment options, supports modality transitions, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations and may require travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings. The work is performed in a healthcare facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials, frequent prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline and hold any required state licensure, education, or training. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification. Prior patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred. The hourly rate is $18–$30, depending on work location and qualifications. The benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, parental leave, and, for bonus-eligible positions, potential performance-based bonuses.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Hold all applicable state licensure and complete any required education and training.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on completion.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various community locations; travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings may be required.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent prolonged standing, bending, and heavy lifting or moving of patients, with assistance or devices available as needed.
Ability to occasionally 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.
Ability 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.

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing; initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre-treatment and post-treatment evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient responses and intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and document interventions and responses.
Assess vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as appropriate, and report unusual findings.
Record accurate and timely treatment information, complete treatment sheets and applicable progress notes, and report significant information or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe and clean facility areas.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork; prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, support adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control procedures, and reinforce patient and family infection control education as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions 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.