Patient Care Technician - PCT - Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Manchester, NH

5d•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 role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean care environment, and participating in quality improvement activities. No prior dialysis experience is required; the employer provides 11 weeks of paid, on-the-job training. Certification is required within the applicable state or CMS timeline. Upon certification, the posting states that the employee receives a pay increase and promotion. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, takes and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and procedures, monitors treatment response, and reports changes or concerns to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also involves patient treatment documentation, specimen collection and preparation, machine and safety checks, cleaning and disinfection, infection-control practices, and participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, prepares treatments on unit machines, and assists with modality transitions, supplies, and inventory. The work takes place in a health care facility and includes interaction with patients, staff, and physicians, as well as travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. The role involves frequent, prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions and equipment. Employees may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-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; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to perform the physical functions described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions and equipment.
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 or related facility is preferred.
Experience as a nursing assistant, CNA, or phlebotomist is identified as relevant.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including vascular access evaluations and patient identification.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients' responses and vascular access during treatment, intervene as prescribed or directed, document interventions and outcomes, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes where applicable, and clinical application entries.
Perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing; prepare and operate equipment and the Solution Delivery System.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, assist with maintaining a safe and clean environment, and support infection-control practices and audits.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and support patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under a nurse's supervision.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm required nursing signatures, and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care with appropriate staff.
Reinforce education for new patients and families as permitted by state law, including information about dialysis products, home dialysis, and treatment options.
Assist with demonstrations of peritoneal dialysis setup, coordinate transitions to patients' chosen modalities, and assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.