Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•CA157 FMCNA Eucalyptus - Clinic, CA

7d•$25 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), continuous quality improvement (CQI), and process improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient education support, vascular access evaluation and cannulation, monitoring and documenting vital signs and treatment parameters, responding to treatment concerns, specimen collection, and accurate clinical recordkeeping. It also supports infection-control practices, staff training, and the coordination and education of newly admitted patients in the Transitional Care Unit. Work takes place in a health care facility and includes travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The role involves regular interaction with patients, staff, and physicians, exposure to infectious materials, and physical tasks such as standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and equipment. A high school diploma or GED is required. The technician must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline and complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification successfully. Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred. The hourly rate is $25.00–$30.00, depending on location and qualifications. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and parental leave.

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.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
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 direct patient care involving 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 with up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Assist health care team members with patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, intervene as prescribed or directed, monitor patient responses, and report significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform treatment reinfusion and discontinuation procedures, obtain required vital signs, assess patients before discharge, and obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, assessments, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly, including on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and in applicable progress notes.
Observe patients and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy; report changes or unusual findings.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document, report, or address unusual findings as appropriate.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and maintain safe, clean treatment areas.
Prepare 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 under a nurse’s supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, complete required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, nursing signatures, and correction or completion of omitted entries by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education as directed and permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and modality choices, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and support TCU supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required.