Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Lebanon, NH

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, helping maintain a safe and clean environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The position supports dialysis at Springfield Center in Springfield, Vermont, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and at Fresenius clinics in Claremont and/or Lebanon on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The PCT welcomes patients, checks their wellbeing, obtains and records vital signs and weights, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation, and administers heparin as delegated or permitted by state law. The technician initiates and monitors treatments according to prescribed orders, responds to treatment issues as directed, discontinues treatment using established procedures, documents patient responses and treatment parameters, and reports significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. Duties also include laboratory specimen collection and preparation, machine safety checks, cleaning and disinfecting equipment between treatments, and accurate recordkeeping. The position may support patients in the Transitional Care Unit through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforcing education, coordinating care with the appropriate staff, helping patients understand treatment and home dialysis options, and assisting with supplies and inventory. The PCT may also assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under a nurse’s supervision. The work includes computer and desk tasks, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The health care facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur. Direct patient care involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and occasional pushing or pulling equipment. The employee may frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds, as high as five feet; assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all 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 perform the physical demands of direct patient care, including lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or lowering solutions as described.
Employees are required to take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Nice To Haves

Dialysis experience is highly preferred.
High-level patient care experience is preferred, with hospital experience especially preferred.
Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform vascular access evaluations, and document the patient’s initial identification.
Initiate dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, assess intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatments according to established procedures; obtain required vital signs, achieve hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly; complete treatment sheets and applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, changes in condition, unusual findings, and vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Conduct patient and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and 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.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and infection-control procedures; support infection-control practices and assist with audits and education as directed.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document preparation where appropriate, conduct required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, 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 facilitate correction of omissions by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure laboratory specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
For Transitional Care Unit patients, follow new admissions through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as allowed by state law; coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required.