Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Jersey City, NJ

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) 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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with a safe and clean care environment, supporting quality improvement activities, and complying with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The PCT supports patients before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include assessing patient wellbeing and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, monitoring patient response, responding to treatment concerns as directed, obtaining vital signs and weights, documenting treatment information, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also supports patient education, infection control, continuous quality improvement, and transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients. The position involves direct patient care and regular interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Work includes computer and desk tasks, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and may include travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Physical work includes frequent and prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation. The role may also require pushing or pulling equipment and lifting solutions weighing up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, as high as five feet. Equipment, coworkers, and material-assist devices may provide assistance. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable timeline and complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification to continue employment. Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred. Pay is listed at $18.00–$29.00 per hour, 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 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.
Obtain any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, assisting with ambulation, and lifting solutions weighing up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and allowed by state law.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for 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 perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, assess intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion; discontinue treatment according to established procedures; evaluate patients before and after treatment, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in the required records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy; evaluate vascular access and monitor arterial and venous pressures during treatment.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
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 registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document as required, conduct required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omissions or corrections with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families as directed and 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; coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options, including demonstrating 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 its supply ordering and inventory.