Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care • Hockessin, DE

8d • $18 - $30 • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of a 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 state and federal regulations. It is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities that promote patient satisfaction and quality goals.

The technician welcomes and monitors patients, performs and documents pre- and post-treatment assessments, weighs patients, checks vital signs and vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, and responds to treatment problems as directed. Duties also include operating and checking dialysis equipment, documenting treatment information, collecting laboratory specimens, following infection control practices, and supporting patient education and transitions to home or other dialysis modalities.

The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility, frequent interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Work may involve exposure to infectious materials, lifting and moving patients, frequent standing and bending, and lifting solutions and equipment. High school diploma or GED is required. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification.

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.
• Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
• Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
• Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent standing and bending and lifting or moving patients, solutions, and equipment.
• Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations within the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
• Employees 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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Provide patient-specific education, as appropriate, on dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
• Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including the required patient identification and vascular access assessments.
• Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
• Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
• Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing.
• Monitor patient responses to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
• Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge and document treatment completion.
• Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
• 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 and procedures, maintain a safe and clean environment, and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
• Initiate the Solution Delivery System and prepare for dialysis treatments.
• Participate in and document CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets for completeness and help ensure omissions or errors are corrected by appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print lab requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
• Assist with infection control audits, support adherence to infection control practices, and reinforce infection control education for patients and families as directed and permitted 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 and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled services.
• Support patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transitions to the patient's chosen modality.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its 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: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED