Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Chicago, IL

10d•$18 - $27

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. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), continuous quality improvement (CQI), and patient satisfaction initiatives. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients before, during, and after dialysis; assesses vascular access; performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration as permitted; initiates and discontinues treatments according to prescribed orders and procedures; monitors patient responses; and documents treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and other required information. The position also involves collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining treatment equipment and supplies, following infection-control procedures, and reporting significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with transition planning and supply inventory. The role involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, frequent standing and bending, and regular lifting and moving of patients or supplies. The work environment is a health care facility, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet any 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 to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Be able to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies; assistance or equipment may be used for heavier items.
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 is preferred.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including initial patient identification and vascular access evaluation.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide or document interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess the patient before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and on time.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use 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.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis, conduct and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Enter treatment data into the designated clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness, signatures, and appropriate correction of omissions.
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, follow policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education as directed and permitted by law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordinating transition to the patient’s chosen modality, perform treatments on TCU machines, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.