Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Escanaba, MI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, performs pre- and post-treatment assessments, obtains vital signs and weights, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, and documents treatment information. The position also involves monitoring patients’ responses, recognizing and reporting changes in condition, responding to treatment issues as directed, collecting laboratory specimens, and following infection-control practices. Additional responsibilities may include supporting staff training, preparing and maintaining patient records, and assisting with the coordination of transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients. The position includes direct patient care and requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. Comprehensive on-the-job training is provided; dialysis-specific experience is not required.

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.
Demonstrated 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.
Pass the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and lowering solutions, and assisting with patient movement and ambulation.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility.

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and follow organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and conduct required machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, evaluations, and treatment parameters.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access and monitor arterial and venous pressures during treatment; intervene as appropriate and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and clinical application entries.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required signatures and corrections are completed by appropriate staff.
Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment, use them efficiently, and assist with supply ordering and inventory for the Transitional Care Unit.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under the supervision of a nurse.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits, and follow and reinforce infection-control practices and education as directed.
For the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care and scheduling with relevant staff.
Reinforce new-patient education, help patients understand home dialysis products and treatment options, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Maintain environmental safety and cleanliness and follow organizational business policies, procedures, and ethical practices.