Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Shelbyville, IN

13d

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, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, supports a safe and clean working environment, and participates in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and outcomes. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments as prescribed, monitors patient response, records treatment information, and reports changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. Additional duties include collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining infection-control practices, cleaning and testing equipment, and supporting patient education and staff training. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care and modality transitions, helps patients understand home dialysis options, and assists with equipment and supply needs. The role involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and physical tasks such as lifting, moving, and assisting patients.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet 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.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
Pass 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 that includes frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with ambulation, and lifting and moving patients.
Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and inquire 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 record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patient responses and intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document responses, and report significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform machine safety checks and ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and clinical application entries.
Obtain prescribed laboratory testing; prepare, label, store, and coordinate collection of specimens.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Conduct preparation tasks and required dialysis machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Support infection-control audits, practices, and education for patients and families as directed and permitted by state law.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education for new patients, coordinate appointments with appropriate staff, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations, and coordinate transitions to patients' chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.