Patient Care Technician- PCT- Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Reading, PA

13d

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, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality improvement activities focused on patient outcomes and satisfaction. The technician welcomes patients, monitors their condition and response to treatment, performs vascular access assessments and cannulation, obtains and documents vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed procedures, and responds to treatment issues as directed. The position also includes documenting treatment information, preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and supplies, following infection control practices, and reporting changes or unusual findings to nursing staff. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports understanding of home dialysis options, and assists with equipment and supply needs. The role requires completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification for continued employment.

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.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Pass 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 frequent, prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to 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 five feet, with assistance or material-assist devices available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in 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

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous 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, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Check that required machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and report changes or unusual findings to nursing staff.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, evaluate patients before discharge, and perform required pre- and post-treatment evaluations.
Record vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, patient responses, and other treatment information accurately and promptly in required records and clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange for collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between treatments.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, ethical business practices, and infection control requirements.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and assist with infection control audits and education under appropriate supervision.
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 as permitted by state law, and help coordinate staff visits according to the patient’s plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality, set up and perform treatments on TCU machines, and help manage TCU supplies and inventory.