Patient Care Technician - PCT - Skilled Nursing Facility - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care • Enola, PA

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of the Staff Assisted Home Hemodialysis Health Care Team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients in skilled nursing facilities. The technician works under the supervision of a registered nurse, following FMCNA policies, procedures, training, and applicable state and federal regulations. The role also supports the organization’s quality improvement activities, patient satisfaction, mission, values, customer service philosophy, and compliance program.

The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including preparing and checking water and dialysis equipment; recording observations, vital signs, weights, and treatment parameters; setting up prescribed machine programming for registered-nurse review; monitoring patients, vascular access, equipment, and alarms; assisting with treatment administration; and documenting care and interventions. The technician also obtains and prepares prescribed laboratory specimens, reports significant changes or unusual findings to the appropriate supervisor, and travels to nursing home facilities within a defined geographic location.

The work involves frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and assisting with lifting and moving patients. Employees may occasionally move machines and equipment weighing up to 200 pounds with assistance and lift chemical or water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds. The environment is characteristic of a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials. A valid driver’s license is required for travel between facilities.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Successful completion of a training course in the theory and practice of hemodialysis.
• Successful completion of the Staff Assisted Home Hemodialysis Employee Training and Orientation Program.
• Successful completion of CPR certification.
• Successful completion of dialysis certification as required.
• At least two years of hemodialysis experience.
• Ability to assist with lifting patients and equipment.
• Ability to provide coverage at area facilities during short staffing or as required.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement, and lifting chemical or water solutions up to 30 pounds; occasional movement of equipment up to 200 pounds is performed with assistance.
• Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care to assigned patients in accordance with physician orders and applicable state nurse practice laws, under registered nurse supervision.
• Arrive at assigned nursing locations and inquire about patients’ wellbeing since their previous treatment.
• Prepare and test water and dialysis equipment, and document required testing.
• Participate in process improvement activities supporting patient quality goals.
• Record pre- and post-treatment observations, weights, and vital signs.
• Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming for registered nurse review and approval before treatment.
• Perform vascular access cannulation and monitor access patency under registered nurse supervision and as permitted by state law.
• Administer Heparin as ordered and delegated, under registered nurse supervision and as permitted by state law.
• Monitor and assist with dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including treatment time, blood flow, and dialysate flow.
• Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to policy and procedure.
• Monitor vascular access and treatment pressures during dialysis, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
• Record accurate and timely vital signs and treatment parameters on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification.
• Ask about intradialytic problems and monitor the patient’s response to dialysis therapy.
• Provide interventions as prescribed by physician order or directed, and document interventions and patient responses under registered nurse supervision.
• Obtain vital signs before treatment termination, prepare for discontinuation, and document required information.
• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures.
• Observe the patient and access before and after treatment, including standing and sitting blood pressure; obtain homeostasis and apply an appropriate dressing.
• Complete the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and, when applicable, progress notes.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and prepare specimens for transport to Spectra laboratories.
• Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the nurse supervisor or Home Therapy Program Manager.
• Comply with the Code of Business Conduct, company policies and procedures, and applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Assist with projects assigned by the direct supervisor and perform other duties as assigned.
• Travel to and from nursing home facilities within a defined geographic location.
• Provide coverage at area facilities during short staffing or as required.

What This Job Offers

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