Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Greenfield, IN

13d

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 organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable state and federal regulations. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities intended to support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients during treatment, evaluates vascular access, records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders, and documents treatment details and patient responses. The technician reports significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor, obtains and prepares laboratory specimens, and follows infection-control procedures. The role may also support patient education and transitional dialysis care, including helping new patients understand treatment and home dialysis options. The work includes desk and computer tasks as well as direct patient care, facility and community travel, frequent prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. The role is based in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet any 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.
Pass the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical functions described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient assistance and movement, and lifting solutions and supplies.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and conduct required machine safety checks and alarm tests.
Welcome patients, inquire about their wellbeing, assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, during-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, vascular access findings, treatment parameters, and patient evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures; monitor patient response and address intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment times, and modeling, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment information accurately and promptly, including treatment sheets, clinical application data, and progress notes when applicable.
Report significant changes in patient condition and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor; document interventions and patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, and coordinate their storage and collection.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills according to policy.
Prepare 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 under nurse supervision.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits; reinforce infection-control practices and education as directed.
Prepare patient charts and paperwork, review treatment sheets for completeness, and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
For Transitional Care Unit patients, follow new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care, education, scheduling, treatment options, modality transition, and supply inventory.
Assist patients in understanding home dialysis products and benefits and demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate.