Patient Care Technician - PCT - Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Lowell, MA

21h•$20 - $27

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with a safe and clean working environment, and supporting quality-improvement and patient-satisfaction activities. No prior dialysis experience is required; paid, on-the-job training lasts 11 weeks. Certification is required within the applicable state or CMS timeline, and successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification is necessary for continued employment. The posting states that certification leads to a pay increase and promotion. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, prepares and conducts dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, evaluates vascular access and patient response, records treatment information, collects laboratory specimens, and reports changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also supports infection-control practices, documentation, staff training, and, in the Transitional Care Unit, patients’ transition into dialysis care and modality choices. Work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The work takes place in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with potential exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, and bending. The position may require pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing it does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered. The stated hourly pay range is $20.00–$27.00, depending on work location and qualifications. Benefits listed include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and parental leave. The posting also mentions up to $5,200 in RN tuition reimbursement per calendar year and major holidays off.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Be able to perform the stated physical duties, including frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and handling solutions and equipment within the stated weight limits, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient-care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.
Prior dialysis experience is not required; paid on-the-job training is provided.

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate and within applicable 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-, intra-, 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.
Evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed; monitor patient response and document interventions.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis-machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Record accurate and timely treatment parameters and patient information in treatment sheets and clinical applications; complete or correct documentation as appropriate.
Report significant information, changes in condition, unusual findings, or vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing; prepare the treatment area and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare requisitions, collect and label specimens, store them according to requirements, and ensure courier collection.
Clean blood spills and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas according to facility policy.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently; assist with inventory and supply ordering in the Transitional Care Unit.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient-care staff under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits; follow and reinforce infection-control policies and education.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, review treatment sheets for completeness, and ensure required signatures and entries are present.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, coordinate transitional care, reinforce education, and help coordinate the patient’s chosen modality.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Support patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.