Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Victor, NY

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 environment, and contributing to quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. Dialysis experience is not required; paid training is provided. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, performs pre- and post-treatment assessments, takes vital signs and weights, evaluates vascular access, and carries out dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures. The role includes documenting treatment information, responding to patient status changes as directed, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting significant findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also supports patient education, infection control, equipment preparation and disinfection, and continuous quality improvement. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, and helps patients understand treatment options, including home dialysis. The role requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and may require travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings. The work takes place in a health care facility and involves direct patient care, frequent standing and lifting, and potential exposure to infectious or contagious materials. No on-call duty, overnight shifts, or Sunday work is indicated in the posting.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Must meet applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to 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 direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Ability to 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 related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access and perform cannulation and delegated heparin administration as permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and other required assessments.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient responses and vascular access during treatment, intervene as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Prepare and test dialysis machines and equipment, including required alarm testing and the Solution Delivery System; clean and disinfect equipment and treatment areas between patients.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and follow organizational business, infection control, and ethical practice policies.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness and corrections by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and laboratory requisitions, and support accurate record keeping.
Support infection control audits and reinforce infection control education and practices for staff, patients, and families as directed.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care with appropriate staff.
Reinforce education related to care, home dialysis products and benefits, and treatment options; assist with demonstrations and coordination of a patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with TCU supply ordering and inventory.