Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Manitowoc, WI

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) 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 technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, supports a safe and clean clinical environment, and contributes to quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. Dialysis-specific experience is not required; comprehensive on-the-job training is provided.

The role includes welcoming and monitoring patients, assessing vascular access, initiating and discontinuing prescribed dialysis treatments, documenting treatment parameters and patient responses, obtaining laboratory specimens, and reporting patient changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also assists with patient education, staff training, infection control, clinical recordkeeping, and transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients. Work includes direct patient care, physical activity, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
• Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s 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 meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient ambulation and lifting or moving patients, and lifting solutions and equipment as described in the posting.
• Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility.
• Dialysis-specific experience is not required; comprehensive on-the-job training is provided.

Responsibilities

• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency; perform cannulation and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and perform vascular access evaluations.
• Initiate dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings.
• Monitor patients and their response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
• Perform treatment discontinuation procedures, assess patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
• Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
• Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
• Accurately document treatment data, vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, patient responses, and other required information.
• Report significant information, changes in patient condition, or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
• Clean blood spills promptly 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 under nurse supervision.
• Maintain a safe, clean environment and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
• Prepare for dialysis treatment, conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures.
• Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
• Assist with infection control audits, follow infection control policies and procedures, support adherence to infection control practices, and reinforce patient and family education under direction as permitted by state law.
• Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience, and help patients understand home dialysis products and treatment options.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and help coordinate transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
• Assist with transitional care unit supply ordering and inventory.

What This Job Offers

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