Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care • Baltimore, MD

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and supports Quality Enhancement Program and Continuous Quality Improvement activities.

The technician provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including assessing vascular access, cannulation, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment as prescribed, monitoring patients and machine safety, documenting treatment information, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also supports patient education, infection control, laboratory collection and processing, staff training, and—where applicable—transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients.

This float position serves facilities in the Baltimore, Maryland area and requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. The work takes place in a health care facility and involves direct patient care, exposure to infectious materials, frequent standing and bending, and lifting and moving patients and supplies. High school diploma or GED is required. Dialysis experience and CCHT certification are indicated for the position; CMS-approved state or national certification requirements must be met within the applicable timeline. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• Must have any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ability to perform direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation.
• Ability to stand for prolonged periods and bend over frequently.
• 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 travel between assigned facilities and various locations in the community.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Provide patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
• Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, 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 and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
• Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
• Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
• Monitor patients’ response to treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
• Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge and before termination of venous access.
• Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly.
• Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory testing; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of laboratory specimens according to requirements.
• Clean blood spills and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas according to facility policy.
• Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, and ethical business practices.
• Conduct dialysis treatment preparation tasks, including required machine alarm testing and initiating the Solution Delivery System.
• Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
• 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, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
• Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce infection-control education under appropriate direction.
• In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
• Reinforce education for new patients and liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
• Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
• Assist with coordinating transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, and support TCU supply ordering and inventory.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.

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

What This Job Offers

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