Patient Care Technician- PCT- Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care • Philadelphia, PA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) functions as part of the dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy to patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. This role involves operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting the organization's commitment to quality improvement and patient satisfaction. The position offers 12 weeks of paid and structured training with an assigned Preceptor and Nurse Educator, and no prior dialysis experience is required. The company is a large provider of renal care products and services, recognized as one of America's 'Most Loved Workplaces' by Newsweek.

Requirements

• High School diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Must meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred.
• Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organization dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.
• Must take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• No prior dialysis experience required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures, disease process, and access.
• Welcome patients, inquire about their well-being, evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated.
• Obtain pre and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and perform vascular access evaluation.
• Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow.
• Evaluate and intervene for intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed.
• Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy.
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion, perform discontinuation procedures, and evaluate the patient prior to discharge.
• Calculate and program dialysis machine settings for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
• Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
• Record accurate and timely treatment data, including vital signs and treatment parameters.
• Document information related to patient treatment, including completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes.
• Report significant information or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks, reporting any unusual findings.
• Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patients' response.
• Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, provide intervention, and report findings.
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
• Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant.
• Prepare, organize, and utilize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
• Assist in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
• Follow all organization business policies, procedures, and systems.
• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics, ensuring all areas are safe and clean.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
• Perform all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment, including machine alarm testing.
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
• Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
• Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and timely.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure proper documentation.
• Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork.
• Prepare/print lab requisitions and collect, label, prepare, and store lab samples.
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.
• Assist in collecting information for infection control audits.
• Support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
• Participate in and reinforce infection control education of patients and families.
• Follow all newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care related matters for new patients.
• Liaise with appropriate FKC staff members to provide the best patient experience.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits.
• Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup.
• Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
• Assist with supply ordering and inventory for the TCU.

Benefits

• Major holidays off
• 12 weeks of paid & structured training with an assigned Preceptor & Nurse Educator
• Up to $4,400 tuition reimbursement per calendar year

What This Job Offers

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