Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care • Webster, MA

6d • $18 - $30 • Onsite

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. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean environment, and contributing to the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The position provides direct patient care, including patient education, treatment preparation and monitoring, documentation, laboratory specimen handling, and infection-control support.

The technician supports patients during dialysis treatments by assessing vascular access, collecting pre- and post-treatment measurements, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, monitoring patient responses, responding to treatment issues as directed, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes maintaining treatment equipment and records, supporting staff training under nurse supervision, and coordinating aspects of transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients, including education about treatment options and home dialysis.

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.
• Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
• Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
• Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, moving and assisting patients, and frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
• Employees must 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 is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access patency, cannulate access, 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 flow and dialysate flow settings.
• Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis and evaluate intradialytic problems, providing interventions as prescribed or directed.
• Perform treatment discontinuation procedures, obtain vital signs before reinfusion, assess patients before termination and discharge, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
• Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
• Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly, and report significant information or changes in condition to a registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patients, conduct machine safety checks, and monitor vascular access pressures during treatment; document and report unusual findings.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
• Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
• Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between patients.
• Prepare for dialysis treatments, document as appropriate, perform required machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and promptly.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
• Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under appropriate direction.
• Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as permitted by state law and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary visits.
• Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with 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 performance-based bonuses, depending on company and individual performance, for bonus-eligible positions

What This Job Offers

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