Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Brainerd, MN

8d • $16 - $25 • Onsite

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 follows organization policies and procedures, required training, and applicable state and federal regulations. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities intended to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. No dialysis-specific experience is required; paid on-the-job training is provided.

The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assists with education, performs treatment-related tasks within their training and state-law permissions, and documents patient assessments, treatment parameters, interventions, and outcomes. The position also supports laboratory specimen handling, infection control, staff training, and transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients. Work includes direct patient care and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The health care facility environment may involve exposure to infectious materials, heavy lifting and moving patients, frequent standing and bending, and handling dialysis supplies and equipment.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
• Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
• Demonstrated 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.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient ambulation and movement, and handling specified weights of supplies and solutions.
• Employees must 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 is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
• Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access and perform cannulation and heparin administration when delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and assess vascular access before treatment.
• Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling as prescribed.
• Evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
• Perform treatment reinfusion and discontinuation procedures, assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
• Enable required safety alarms and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
• Document treatment data, vital signs, parameters, assessments, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Clean blood spills promptly and maintain infection control practices and a safe, clean treatment environment.
• Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, clean and disinfect machines and surrounding treatment areas between patients, conduct machine alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities, infection control audits, and patient and staff infection-control education as directed.
• Prepare patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, enter clinical data, and check treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures.
• Coordinate transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients through their first four weeks, reinforce relevant education, coordinate care with facility staff, and support patient understanding of home dialysis and treatment options.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations, coordinate transition to the patient's chosen modality, and assist with TCU supplies and inventory.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Potential performance-based bonuses depending on company and individual performance, where applicable

What This Job Offers

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