Patient Care Technician- PCT- Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Hammonton, NJ

7d•$17 - $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 follows organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. It is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), continuous quality improvement (CQI), patient satisfaction, and process improvement activities. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted, obtains vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatments, monitors patients’ responses, documents treatment information, and reports significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also prepares and processes laboratory specimens, maintains equipment and supplies, follows infection-control practices, and participates in staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, assists with transitions to the patient's chosen modality, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The work includes desk and computer tasks, interaction with patients and care team members, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The health care facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The position requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending, occasional pushing or pulling with up to 15 pounds of force, frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds, and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees 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.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required 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 remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions as specified.

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.
Provide patient-specific education support regarding adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and permitted.
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, perform vascular access evaluations, and record patient identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, document responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures, assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, relevant progress notes, and clinical application data; review sheets for completeness and appropriate signatures.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
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 on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe and clean work areas.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document CQI activities.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control procedures, and reinforce patient and family 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 as permitted by state law, and liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduling of care disciplines.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and available treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
Assist with coordination of transitions to patients’ chosen modalities and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.