Patient Care Technician- PCT- Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Hackettstown, NJ

8d•$15 - $24

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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, supports a safe and clean environment, and participates in the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and related patient-satisfaction and process-improvement activities. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient assessment, vascular access care, treatment setup and monitoring, recording vital signs and treatment information, responding to patient needs, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also assists with education, laboratory specimen handling, infection control, documentation, and preparation and disinfection of equipment and treatment areas. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician helps coordinate newly admitted patients’ first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, assists with transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The role involves travel between assigned facilities and community locations and may include travel to regional, business-unit, or corporate meetings. The work takes place in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious materials, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Hold any state licensure and complete education or training required for the role.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer-service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
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 that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over; occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

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 previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and assess patients before and after treatment.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed interventions, and document patient responses.
Monitor vascular access and treatment pressures, intervene as appropriate, and report unusual findings or changes in condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes where applicable, and clinical application entries.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Observe patients and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under a nurse’s supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis machines for treatment, conduct required alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection control audits, follow infection control policies, reinforce adherence, and support patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate care and appointments, and help patients understand home dialysis products and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstrations such as peritoneal dialysis setup, and coordinate transitions to the patient’s chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.