Patient Care Technician - PCT - Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Chelmsford, MA

22h•$20 - $27•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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable state and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean working environment, and supports quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient assessment, vascular access care, treatment setup and monitoring, vital-sign and weight measurements, documentation, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. It also includes preparing and maintaining equipment and supplies, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, supporting infection-control practices, and assisting with staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education as permitted by law, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports patient understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. No prior dialysis experience is required. The posting describes 11 weeks of paid, on-the-job training to become nationally certified; certification leads to a pay increase and promotion. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification. The role requires a high school diploma or GED and applicable certification and licensure within required timelines.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Possess any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on 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 will be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and assisting with patient lifting, moving, and ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet, with assistance or material-assist devices available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient-care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.
Experience as a nursing assistant, CNA, or phlebotomist is identified as a relevant background.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Monitor patients' response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform and document the functions needed to discontinue treatment according to procedures.
Assess patients before discharge and evaluate them before terminating venous access, including standing and sitting blood pressure measurements.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis-machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and observe patients while conducting machine safety checks.
Accurately and promptly document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and other patient-care information; review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate signatures.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare requisitions, collect and label specimens, store them according to laboratory specifications, and ensure courier collection.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and maintain safe, clean, and orderly work areas.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient-care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices covered in training.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Prepare initial patient charts for admission and compile paperwork for placement in the chart.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, and support infection-control education for patients and families as permitted by law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and help coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as permitted by state law and liaise with staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary care.
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.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and corporate meetings may be required.