Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Norfolk, VA

7d•$15 - $24

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of the dialysis health care team, providing 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 work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted, obtains and documents vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment-related problems under direction. The position also involves preparing and collecting laboratory specimens, documenting treatment and patient information, monitoring machine safety, cleaning and disinfecting equipment, and supporting infection-control practices. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with equipment setup and supply inventory. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and frequent standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients or equipment. A high school diploma or GED is required, and continued employment depends on completing the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet all 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.
Ability to perform the role’s physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient assistance, and lifting as described in the posting.
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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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 allowed by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling, as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
Evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed; document interventions and patient responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access and treatment pressures, provide appropriate interventions, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including vital signs, treatment parameters, treatment sheets, progress notes where applicable, and clinical application entries.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing or omitted entries are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage and maintain a safe, clean environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits; reinforce infection-control practices and education as directed.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education for new patients, help them understand home dialysis products and benefits, and support understanding of treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Assist with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).