Patient Care Technician - PCT - Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Manchester, NH

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role involves setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with patient care, and maintaining a safe and clean environment in accordance with organization policies, training, and applicable regulations. The technician supports quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. The position includes paid, on-the-job dialysis training for 11 weeks. No prior dialysis experience is required. Employees must successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification to continue employment, and must meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required timeline. Certification leads to a pay increase and promotion, as stated in the posting. The work includes direct patient care, documentation, infection-control practices, laboratory specimen handling, and equipment preparation and cleaning. Technicians may also support patients transitioning to dialysis, including reinforcing education and coordinating care under the direction of the appropriate clinical staff. The role requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and corporate meetings may also be required. The healthcare-facility environment may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials, and the work regularly involves lifting and moving patients.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Complete the organization’s dialysis training program successfully; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to perform direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
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.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and corporate meetings may be required.
Complete the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; a failing result does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred.
Experience as a nursing assistant, CNA, or phlebotomist is identified as relevant by the posting.

Responsibilities

Assist the healthcare team with patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights; assess patients before and after treatment.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, assess vascular access and machine pressures, intervene as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment records and clinical applications.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and follow facility infection-control policies and procedures.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste; prepare dialysis machines and conduct required alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing.
Clean and disinfect the dialysis machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits, and support infection-control education for patients and families as directed and permitted by law.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, address omitted entries with appropriate staff, and prepare initial patient charts and laboratory requisitions.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforce education, coordinate care and appointments, and support transition to the patient’s chosen dialysis modality.
Assist patients in understanding home dialysis products and options, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, operate machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly work environment and follow organization policies, procedures, and ethical business practices.