Patient Care Technician

Fresenius Medical Care•Phoenix, AZ

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of the dialysis health care team, providing 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 activities. The technician welcomes patients, monitors their condition and response to treatment, performs vascular access evaluation and cannulation, obtains and documents vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment issues as directed. The role includes operating and checking dialysis equipment, documenting treatment information, reporting changes in patient condition, collecting laboratory specimens, and preparing and maintaining treatment records. The technician also contributes to staff training, infection-control practices, facility cleanliness, and Continuous Quality Improvement activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the role supports new patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, and assists with equipment setup, supply ordering, and inventory. The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings. Work includes frequent standing and bending, patient movement and assistance with ambulation, and lifting or lowering supplies and equipment. Employees are required to take the Ishihara color blindness test; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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 the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
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 duties involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending; moving and assisting patients with ambulation; and frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five 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 is preferred.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Provide or reinforce patient education about adequacy measures, disease processes, vascular access, infection control, and dialysis treatment options as permitted by state law and under appropriate supervision.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor vascular access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required evaluations before treatment, before reinfusion, and before discharge.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks; identify and report changes, unusual findings, and significant patient information to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document interventions and patient responses.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings after treatment.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier pickup of laboratory specimens according to specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly, review treatment sheets for completeness, and ensure required signatures and corrections are addressed 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, support adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce infection-control education under the direction of the Center Manager or designee.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and support coordination of transitions to the patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.