Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Morristown, NJ

7d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions 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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines and helps maintain a safe, clean work environment. The position supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvements intended to help patients achieve quality goals.

The technician welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated or legally permitted heparin administration, initiates and discontinues treatments, monitors treatment response, and documents care. Responsibilities include machine programming, safety checks, vital signs and weights, interventions for unusual patient status, laboratory specimen handling, infection-control practices, and accurate completion of clinical records. The role also supports staff training under nurse supervision and, in the Transitional Care Unit, helps coordinate newly admitted patients’ first four weeks of dialysis care and education about treatment options and home dialysis.

The work includes desk and computer tasks and regular interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The work environment is typical of a health care facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The job also requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as 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; failing it does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required 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 remain employed.
• Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
• 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 the described physical duties, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; lifting and lowering solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally; and occasionally pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.

Nice To Haves

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

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 inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency and perform cannulation and heparin administration when delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain 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 ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
• Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and monitor patient response to therapy.
• Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to procedure, assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
• Record vital signs, treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly in the required treatment records and clinical applications.
• Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy; evaluate and document vascular access pressures during treatment and report unusual findings.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
• Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
• Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
• Prepare for dialysis treatment, conduct and document required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required signatures and corrections are completed 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, support staff and patient 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.
• In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
• Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits and explain how home dialysis may work for them.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit; help patients understand treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
• Assist with coordinating the patient's transition to their chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.

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 for bonus-eligible positions

What This Job Offers

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