Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Waynesboro, PA

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean working environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The Patient Care Technician welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and other delegated care, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors patient response, takes and records vital signs and weights, and documents treatment information. The role also performs machine safety checks, prepares and processes laboratory specimens, maintains infection-control practices, and reports patient changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with staff, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with transition planning and supply inventory. No prior dialysis experience is required; the employer provides 11 weeks of paid on-the-job training toward national certification. A pay increase and promotion follow certification.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required 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 perform the physical demands described, including frequent standing and lifting, bending, and assisting patients with movement and ambulation.
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 or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education with other healthcare team members regarding adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when 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.
Evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and monitor patient response to dialysis therapy.
Perform treatment reinfusion and discontinuation procedures, evaluate patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Record accurate and timely treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and other patient-care information in required records and applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular-access pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange for pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN 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 safe and clean surroundings; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between patients.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control practices, and support patient and family education as directed and permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients, coordinate with facility staff to support the patient experience, and help arrange visits from relevant disciplines.
Help patients understand home-dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordinating transition to the patient’s chosen modality, perform treatments on TCU machines, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.