Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Urbana, IL

4d

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 and in accordance with organization policies, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals.

The technician welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment; assesses vascular access; takes and records vital signs and weights; initiates, monitors, and discontinues treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures; and reports changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also documents treatment information, performs machine safety checks, obtains and prepares laboratory specimens, maintains equipment and treatment areas, and supports infection-control practices.

In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports patients in understanding treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with equipment and supply needs. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; accommodations may be considered, and failing the test does not preclude employment.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Meet applicable 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; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
• Be able to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assistance with ambulation.
• Be able to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower solutions up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet; assistance devices or coworkers may be available.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Assist the health care team with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
• Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and assess vascular access before treatment.
• Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
• Calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
• Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
• Obtain vital signs before reinfusion; discontinue treatment according to established procedures; assess patients before termination and discharge; obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
• Document treatment evaluations, vital signs, weights, treatment parameters, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in required records and clinical applications.
• Report significant information, changes in condition, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Conduct patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy and obtain prescribed laboratory tests.
• Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage; promptly clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
• Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe, clean, and orderly work areas.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
• Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork; prepare lab requisitions; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of laboratory specimens according to requirements.
• Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
• Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care matters for new patients, coordinate appointments with appropriate staff disciplines, and support the patient experience.
• Help patients understand home-dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with coordination of transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Potential for performance-based bonuses, depending on company and individual performance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED