Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Oak Creek, WI

3d•Onsite

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, following organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with patient care and education, and maintaining a safe, clean clinical environment. No dialysis-specific experience is required; comprehensive on-the-job training is provided. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, performs pre-, intra-, and post-treatment tasks, evaluates vascular access, initiates and discontinues treatment according to prescribed orders, records treatment information, and reports changes or unusual findings to a nurse or supervisor. The role also includes collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, infection-control activities, equipment preparation and disinfection, and participation in continuous quality improvement. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with transition planning and supply inventory. The position involves direct patient care and travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community. The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials may occur.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
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 direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation, with equipment or coworker assistance as available.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over; occasionally push or pull equipment with 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 or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members in providing patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Observe patients and perform machine safety checks; identify and report changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly in required records and clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of laboratory specimens according to applicable specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly 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 nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare machines and treatment areas, perform required pretreatment alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and coordinate correction of omitted entries by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions as needed.
Support infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices and education for patients and families as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care with appropriate staff.
Reinforce education for new patients, help them understand home dialysis products and treatment options, and assist with modality-transition planning, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and various locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.