Patient Care Technician- PCT- Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Sellersville, PA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, obtains and records pre- and post-treatment measurements, evaluates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment issues as directed. The role includes accurate treatment documentation, laboratory specimen collection and preparation, machine safety checks, infection-control practices, and reporting 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, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports patients’ understanding of home dialysis options, and assists with equipment and supply needs. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, frequent standing and bending, and lifting and moving patients or supplies. Employees must take the Ishihara color-vision 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 CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet all 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 for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
Take the Ishihara color-blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical functions described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions and supplies.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education under the guidance of other health care team members, including education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous 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 evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Evaluate and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to procedures, assess the patient before ending venous access, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate the patient before discharge.
Complete and document pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, weights, vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, and patient responses.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient observation and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, document findings, and report unusual results.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, collect and prepare specimens, and ensure their collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
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 in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, training systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe and clean areas.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document preparation as appropriate, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Enter treatment data accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required nursing signatures and corrections are obtained from appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare and print laboratory requisitions, and collect, label, prepare, and store samples according to laboratory specifications.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control adherence and education, and follow infection-control policies and procedures.
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 information for new patients as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.