Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care • East Peoria, IL

9d

About The Position

Functions 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 setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with a safe and clean working environment, and supporting the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.

The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated or legally permitted heparin administration, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors patients and treatment parameters, and documents care. The role reports significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor, collects and prepares laboratory specimens, performs machine safety checks, and maintains treatment areas and equipment in accordance with facility and infection-control procedures.

The position also supports patient education, staff training, infection-control activities, and transitional care for newly admitted dialysis patients. Transitional care duties include coordinating care during the first four weeks of dialysis, reinforcing education about treatment and modality options, supporting machine setup and treatments, and assisting with supply ordering and inventory.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• 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.
• Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
• Successful completion of CPR certification is required 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.
• Ability to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation, with assistance from equipment or coworkers where needed.
• Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over; occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as 5 feet.
• Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations within the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Assist health care team members in providing patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last 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 dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow; calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
• Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
• Perform reinfusion and treatment-discontinuation procedures, obtain required vital signs, evaluate the patient before termination and discharge, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
• Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as needed and document and report unusual findings.
• Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, conduct machine safety checks, and perform required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
• Document treatment data, vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment sheets and clinical applications.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
• Prepare, organize, and efficiently use supplies and equipment to prevent wastage; maintain safe and clean environmental conditions.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under a nurse’s supervision.
• Complete and document participation in CQI activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required signatures and corrections are handled by appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
• Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices and education for patients and families as directed and permitted by law, and follow infection-control policies and procedures.
• For the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care with appropriate staff.
• Reinforce education and care matters for new patients, support understanding of home dialysis products and benefits, and assist patients in understanding treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit, assist with coordinating transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, and help with supply ordering and inventory.
• Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and customer service standards.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Potential for performance-based bonuses depending on company and individual performance (for bonus-eligible positions)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED