Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Staples, MN

9d•$16 - $25•Onsite

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, following organization policies, procedures, and training and applicable regulatory requirements. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean working environment, and participating in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities. No previous dialysis experience is required; on-the-job training is provided. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, obtains and documents vital signs and weights, evaluates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, responds to treatment issues as directed, and reports significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes preparing and collecting laboratory specimens, maintaining accurate treatment records, conducting machine safety checks, and cleaning and disinfecting equipment and treatment areas. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education under appropriate supervision, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, assists with patient understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and supports equipment and supply needs. Clinic hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 4:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 4:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.; the clinic is closed Sunday. Shifts rotate and are typically 9–12 hours. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and a health care facility environment with potential exposure to infectious materials. Physical work includes frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must meet applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including frequent standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions weighing up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

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.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access.
Cannulate vascular access and administer heparin when delegated or allowed by state law.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow, treatment time, ultrafiltration goals, and prescribed modeling.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate and address intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform treatment discontinuation procedures, obtain vital signs before reinfusion, assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Conduct machine safety checks and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, assessments, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in the designated records and clinical application.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare requisitions, collect and label specimens, store them according to laboratory requirements, and ensure courier collection.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment, and use them efficiently to prevent waste.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate corrections or signatures.
Prepare initial patient charts and associated admission paperwork.
Support infection-control audits, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce infection-control education under the direction of the care manager or designee as permitted by state law.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Support newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and 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 transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and customer service standards.