Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Plymouth, MN

8d•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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean care environment, and participating in quality improvement activities. No previous dialysis experience is needed; on-the-job training is provided. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, performs pre- and post-treatment assessments, records vital signs and weights, evaluates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, responds to treatment issues as directed, and documents care. The technician also performs machine safety checks, prepares and handles laboratory specimens, supports infection-control practices, and assists with patient education and staff training under nursing supervision. For patients in the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with the appropriate staff, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with supplies and inventory. The position is based at the Plymouth Creek clinic. Clinic hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 4:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.; and closed Sunday. The schedule involves rotating days and shifts, with 8–12 hours per day.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must have any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the position.
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 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 travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Ability to perform direct patient-care tasks involving frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and regularly lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force occasionally; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as 5 feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items.

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 adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, assess and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, assessments, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly.
Conduct patient and machine safety checks, monitor vascular-access pressures, and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens.
Clean blood spills promptly 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 under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, 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 and review treatment sheets and patient charts for completeness.
Prepare initial patient charts and lab requisitions and ensure documentation and required signatures are complete.
Assist with infection-control audits, follow infection-control procedures, and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families as directed.
Support newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care with appropriate staff.
Reinforce education for new patients, help them understand home dialysis and treatment options, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, and assist with transitions to their selected modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.