Patient Care Tecnicion - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Beaver Falls, PA

15d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable state and federal regulations. Responsibilities include setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean care environment, and participating in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities intended to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes.

The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, obtaining and recording weights and vital signs, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders, monitoring patient response, responding to unusual findings, and documenting treatment information. The PCT also supports patient education, laboratory specimen handling, infection control, machine and equipment preparation, and staff training under nursing supervision.

In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with relevant staff, supports patients in understanding treatment options and home dialysis, and assists with modality transitions, supplies, and inventory. No prior dialysis experience is required; the posting offers 11 weeks of paid, structured training with an assigned Preceptor and Nurse Educator.

The role is based in a health care facility and includes travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. Work involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians; exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials; frequent standing and bending; and lifting and moving patients and supplies. The employer requires employees to take the Ishihara Color Blindness test, but failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
• Must meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
• Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
• Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
• Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and heavy lifting or moving of patients, with assistance or devices available as described.
• Ability to lift or lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds, as high as five feet; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment requiring up to 15 pounds of force.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
• Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
• Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required initial identification and evaluations.
• Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
• Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
• Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
• Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and intervene as prescribed or directed.
• Perform treatment reinfusion and discontinuation procedures, obtain required vital signs, assess patients before discharge, and document treatment completion.
• Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings after treatment.
• Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as appropriate, document findings, and report unusual findings.
• Report significant information or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
• Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
• Maintain safe and clean areas; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
• Prepare dialysis equipment and conduct required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test; initiate the Solution Delivery System.
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
• Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education as directed and allowed by state law.
• In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care information for new patients and liaise with relevant staff to coordinate care and scheduled services.
• Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
• Assist with coordination of transitions to the patient’s chosen modality and support Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.

Benefits

• 11 weeks of paid, structured training with an assigned Preceptor and Nurse Educator.
• Up to $4,400 in tuition reimbursement per calendar year.
• Major holidays off.

What This Job Offers

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