Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Lanham, MD

11d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the 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, assisting with a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician provides direct patient care, monitors patients during treatment, documents treatment information, and reports significant changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also supports patient education, infection control, laboratory specimen handling, staff training, and preparation and maintenance of the treatment environment. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician helps coordinate newly admitted patients’ dialysis care during their first four weeks, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, and assists with modality transitions and supply inventory. The position involves direct patient interaction and work in a health care facility, with travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Work may include exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. The listed hourly pay range is $17.00–$27.00, based on location and qualifications. The position offers medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and parental leave.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet 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 for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation, with equipment or coworker assistance available.
Ability to frequently and for prolonged periods stand and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using 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.
Ability 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 policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up, operate, and monitor hemodialysis machines, including conducting safety checks, alarm testing, and solution delivery system setup.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and evaluations; initiate and discontinue treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis and apply dressings; evaluate patients before discharge and document treatment and patient responses.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, clinical application entries, treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and required corrections or follow-up on omitted entries.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste, and clean and disinfect the dialysis machine, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and support safe, clean, and infection-control-compliant conditions.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and support infection-control audits and practices.
Reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee, as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and support understanding of treatment options and modality choices.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for appropriate placement in the chart.
Follow organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.