Patient Care Technician -PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Akron, OH

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration as permitted, obtains and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, and responds to treatment issues as directed. The role requires accurate programming and operation of dialysis equipment, safety checks, documentation, specimen collection, and prompt reporting of significant findings or changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also supports staff training under nurse supervision, infection-control practices, preparation and cleaning of equipment and treatment areas, and clinical recordkeeping. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports understanding of home dialysis options, and assists with equipment and supply management. This is a direct-patient-care position in a health care facility. Work includes computer and desk tasks, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and other locations in the community. The role may involve exposure to infectious materials, frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting solutions and equipment. The employer offers paid dialysis training and states that continued employment depends on successful completion of the dialysis training program and CPR certification.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet any 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 to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting solutions and equipment as described.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, during-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, treatment parameters, and patient evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, and support patient and family education under direction and as allowed 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 information for new patients, coordinate visits with appropriate staff, and help patients understand home dialysis products and options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations as required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.