Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Slinger, WI

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician 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, along with applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. No dialysis-specific experience is required; comprehensive on-the-job training is provided. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, supports patient care and education, monitors patients and treatment, documents treatment information, and helps maintain a safe, clean environment. The role also supports quality improvement and infection control activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician helps coordinate new patients’ first four weeks of dialysis care and supports their understanding of treatment and modality options. The job involves direct patient care, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and regular lifting or moving of patients and supplies. It also includes desk and computer work, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work environment is a climate-controlled health care facility with moderate noise and possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing it does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must meet applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients and supplies.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment.

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.
Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and as permitted by law.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required pre-treatment access evaluations and post-treatment assessments.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient and machine safety checks.
Monitor patient response to therapy, identify treatment problems or unusual findings, intervene as prescribed or directed, document responses, and report significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor pressures, intervene when needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and coordinate collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain a safe and clean environment.
Conduct dialysis preparation tasks and required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and timely; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on missing or incorrect entries.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection control audits, reinforce infection control practices, and participate in patient and family infection control education under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit; assist with coordination of the patient’s transition to their chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.