Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•East Peoria, IL

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) 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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and participates in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patients and equipment, documenting treatment information, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also supports patient education, laboratory specimen handling, infection control, staff training, and the care transition of newly admitted patients in the Transitional Care Unit. The work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The role requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending, and may involve pushing or pulling equipment and lifting solutions. Equipment, coworkers, and material-assist devices may be used to help with heavier items. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable timeline and hold any required state licensure, education, and training. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification. Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred. The hourly rate is $15.00–$24.00, depending on work location and qualifications.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Hold any applicable state licensure and complete required education and training.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program as a condition of continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification as a condition of continued employment.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.
Employees are required to take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Welcome assigned patients, ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment, and support patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform patient evaluations, and assess patients before discharge.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, including programming ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, assess intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform machine safety checks, ensure required safety alarms are enabled, and conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment sheets, progress notes, and clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare, organize, and efficiently use supplies and equipment; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and support adherence to infection control policies and practices.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist in training applicable direct patient care staff under a nurse’s supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection control audits, and reinforce infection control education for patients and families as permitted by state law.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure required nursing signatures and entries are present, prepare initial patient charts, and prepare laboratory requisitions.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, coordinate transitional care, and reinforce education about care and treatment options.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the new patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, support transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and assist with TCU supply ordering and inventory.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.