Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Akron, OH

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean care environment, following organizational policies and applicable regulations, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and care outcomes. No dialysis experience is required; training is provided. The technician welcomes patients, assesses their condition before and after treatment, monitors their response during dialysis, performs and documents prescribed treatment procedures, and promptly reports significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining accurate clinical records, supporting infection control, and assisting with staff training under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with other staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with modality transitions, equipment, and supplies. The position is full-time at 40 hours per week, with 3–4 shifts per week and a required Saturday rotation.

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.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment depends 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; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, assistance with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and occasional pushing or pulling of 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; assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, assess intradialytic problems, and intervene as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess patients before discharge, 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 and conduct machine safety checks.
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and related information accurately and promptly.
Report significant patient information, changes, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier pickup for specimens.
Clean blood spills promptly and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for 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; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness.
Prepare initial patient charts and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Support infection-control audits, practices, policies, and patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee, as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education for new patients, coordinate appointments with appropriate disciplines, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate.
Assist with coordination of patients' modality transitions and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.