Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Bakersfield, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) 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 organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include assessing vascular access, cannulating access, collecting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders, monitoring patient response, documenting treatment information, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also performs machine safety checks, handles prescribed laboratory specimens, supports infection-control practices, and maintains accurate clinical and treatment records. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with the transition to the patient’s chosen modality. 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, or Corporate meetings may also be required. The environment is characteristic of a health care facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, and bending. Occasional pushing or pulling of equipment may require up to 15 pounds of force. The role frequently requires lifting and lowering solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet; assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment, though failing the test does not preclude employment and reasonable accommodations may be considered. A high school diploma or GED is required. The technician must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline and satisfy any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements. 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 $25.00–$27.00, depending on work location and qualifications. The position includes 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 applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting and lowering solutions weighing up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members in providing patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Collect and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed patient machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, assess and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, vital signs, weights, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in the required treatment records and clinical application.
Monitor vascular-access pressures during treatment, provide appropriate interventions, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare specimens, and arrange for their collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain a safe and clean environment.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare laboratory requisitions, and collect, label, prepare, and store samples according to laboratory specifications.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate services, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to the plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and help coordinate supply ordering and inventory.