Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•New York, NY

8d•$19 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of the dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean working environment, and supporting Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted, initiates and discontinues prescribed dialysis treatments, monitors patient responses, records treatment information, and reports significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes specimen collection and preparation, infection-control practices, equipment cleaning and testing, treatment documentation, and assistance with patient education and staff training. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment options and home dialysis, and assists with transition planning and supply inventory. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. Clinic hours are 5:00 AM–10:00 PM EST, Monday–Saturday; the schedule consists of three rotating 12-hour shifts per week, with flexibility to work shifts assigned during clinic hours.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
CCHT certification is required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must obtain any appropriate state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Must be flexible to work assigned shifts during clinic hours.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Must be able to perform direct patient-care tasks involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and assisting with patient lifting, movement, and ambulation.
May need to push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and under applicable supervision.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access, 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 pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and document interventions and outcomes.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient and machine safety checks.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, and other patient treatment information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information, changes in condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain safe and clean environmental conditions, and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document CQI activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate corrections.
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 participate in patient and family infection-control education as directed.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate with facility staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with modality transition coordination, and help manage TCU supplies and inventory.