Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care • Wilmington, DE

1d • $18 - $30

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 and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction initiatives.

The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment; assesses vascular access; obtains and records vital signs, weights, and treatment information; initiates and discontinues treatment according to prescribed orders and procedures; and responds to treatment problems as directed. The technician also performs machine safety checks, documents patient responses and interventions, prepares laboratory specimens, maintains treatment records, and reports significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.

Additional duties include supporting staff training, infection control, continuous quality improvement, and transitional care for newly admitted dialysis patients. In the transitional care unit, the PCT helps coordinate the first four weeks of dialysis, reinforce patient education, explain treatment options, support transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and assist with supplies and inventory.

The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Employees may be exposed to infectious or contagious materials. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
• Demonstrated commitment to organizational 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 perform direct patient care tasks involving frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies.
• Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as 5 feet; may occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.
• Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required vascular access evaluations.
• Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
• Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis and evaluate intradialytic problems, providing interventions as prescribed or directed.
• Perform required pre-termination checks, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
• Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
• Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
• Document treatment parameters, vital signs, patient evaluations, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly.
• Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report findings.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier pickup of specimens.
• Clean blood spills and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas according to facility policy.
• Prepare and organize supplies and equipment, use them efficiently, and help prevent wastage.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under the supervision of a nurse.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
• Prepare for treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures.
• Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
• Assist with infection control audits, reinforce infection control practices, and support patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
• Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
• Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
• Assist with coordination of the transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with transitional care unit supply ordering and inventory.
• Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit.

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