Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Ottawa, IL

11d • $14 - $23

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, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities aimed at improving patient satisfaction and helping patients achieve organizational quality goals.

The position includes direct patient care before, during, and after dialysis treatments; recording treatment information; monitoring patients and vascular access; collecting laboratory specimens; and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also assists with staff training, infection control, environmental cleaning, and recordkeeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate newly admitted patients’ first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with transition planning and supplies.

The work includes desk and computer tasks, interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work environment is a temperature-controlled health care facility with moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The job requires frequent prolonged standing and bending; occasional pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline and hold any required state licensure, education, and training. Continued employment depends on successfully completing the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification. Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred.

The hourly pay range is $14.00–$23.00, depending on work location and qualifications. The position offers medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and parental leave. Some positions may also be eligible for performance-based bonuses, depending on company and individual performance. Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• Hold all applicable state licensure and complete required education and training.
• Successfully complete the organization dialysis training program and CPR certification for continued employment.
• Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions.
• Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Provide patient-specific education, as appropriate, about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required initial identification and vascular access evaluations.
• Initiate dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
• Calculate and enter prescribed patient machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
• Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160.
• Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
• Perform and document treatment discontinuation, reinfusion, hemostasis, dressings, and patient evaluation before discharge.
• Record accurate and timely vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, and other patient treatment information in required records and clinical applications.
• Report significant information, changes in condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Conduct machine safety checks and evaluate vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures; document and report unusual findings.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Clean blood spills promptly using the appropriate disinfectant and follow facility policies.
• Prepare, organize, and efficiently use supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
• Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
• Maintain a safe, clean environment and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
• Prepare for dialysis treatment, conduct required machine 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, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
• Assist with infection control audits, support adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
• Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care information for new patients as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care plan.
• Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and the peritoneal dialysis setup demonstration.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.
• Assist in coordinating the transition to the patient’s chosen modality and help manage TCU supply ordering and inventory.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Potential performance-based bonuses for eligible positions, depending on company and individual performance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED