Patient Care Technician- PCT- Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Cherry Hill, NJ

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 and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, helping maintain a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, performs pre- and post-treatment assessments, evaluates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors patient responses, and documents treatment information. The position also includes specimen collection and preparation, infection-control activities, equipment cleaning and safety checks, and support for patients receiving transitional dialysis care. The technician may assist with training direct patient care staff under nurse supervision and reinforce patient and family education as permitted by state law. The role involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. Employees may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Physical duties include frequent and prolonged standing, bending, moving and assisting patients, and lifting solutions and equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; 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 required state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational 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 perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient assistance and movement, and lifting solutions and equipment.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members in providing 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 for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and monitor patient responses to therapy.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to procedures, assess patients before termination of venous access and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, vital signs, treatment parameters, and progress notes where applicable.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy; perform and document interventions and patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills immediately using appropriate disinfectant and prepare 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 on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe and clean areas and uphold environmental integrity.
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 (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and coordinate laboratory specimen collection.
Assist in collecting information for infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce infection-control education under direction as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with coordination of the transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with TCU supply ordering and inventory.