Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Worcester, MA

10d • $17 - $27

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 sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and supports quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities aimed at improving patient satisfaction and outcomes.

The technician welcomes and monitors patients, performs pre- and post-treatment assessments, obtains vital signs and weights, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and responds to treatment-related concerns as directed. The position also involves documenting treatment data and interventions, performing machine safety checks, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, maintaining infection-control practices, and preparing and disinfecting equipment between treatments.

In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with relevant staff, supports patients in understanding treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with transition to the patient's chosen modality. The job includes direct patient care and physical demands such as lifting and moving patients and supplies, standing for prolonged periods, and travel between assigned facilities and other locations.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
• Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
• Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Be able to perform direct patient care involving heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, occasional pushing or pulling 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.
• Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
• Travel between assigned facilities and locations within the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Provide dialysis therapy as part of the health care team under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform patient evaluations, and assess the patient before discharge.
• 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 UF modeling, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
• Monitor patient responses and machine safety, identify intradialytic problems or unusual findings, intervene as prescribed or directed, document the response, and report significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, clean blood spills promptly, and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
• 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 and clean environment.
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities, enter treatment data accurately and promptly, review treatment sheets for completeness, and support correction of omitted or incomplete entries by appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
• Support infection-control audits, adherence to infection-control practices, and patient and family infection-control education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed 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 information for new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help patients understand home-dialysis products and benefits.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist patients in understanding treatment options.
• Assist with coordination of transition to the patient's 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 for 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