Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Bedford Heights, OH

1d•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 involves setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with patient care and education, maintaining a safe and clean clinical environment, and documenting treatment information in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The technician also supports quality improvement activities and patient satisfaction goals. The position is based in an outpatient dialysis clinic. No prior dialysis experience is required, and the organization provides 12 weeks of paid comprehensive training. The clinic operates Monday through Saturday, 5:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; technicians work 3–4 shifts per week, each ranging from 8 to 12 hours, including every other Saturday. Shift times vary with clinic needs, and recurring preferred days off or start times are not guaranteed. The clinic is closed Sundays, and there are no overnight shifts. The work includes direct patient care, operation and cleaning of dialysis equipment, collection and handling of laboratory specimens, infection-control activities, treatment documentation, and support for patients transitioning to dialysis care or considering home dialysis. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The healthcare-facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise levels, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The role also requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending, occasional pushing or pulling of 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 to a height of five feet. Equipment and coworker assistance, including two-person assistance and material-assist devices, are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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 as a condition of continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification as a condition of continued employment.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the stated physical demands, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred.
Patient care experience in fields such as STNA, phlebotomy, or EMT work is preferred.
Prior dialysis experience is not required.

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, vascular-access assessments, and treatment parameters.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures; monitor patient response and intervene as prescribed or directed.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis-machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Perform machine safety checks, pretreatment alarm testing, and other tasks necessary to prepare for dialysis treatments.
Recognize and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor; document interventions and patient responses.
Monitor vascular access and treatment pressures, and report and document unusual findings or required interventions.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste; maintain a safe and clean environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical practices, and infection-control policies; support and reinforce infection-control practices and education as permitted by state law.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly in designated clinical applications.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate signatures, and ensure omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts, compile paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
Support transitional dialysis care by following newly admitted patients through their first four weeks and coordinating care with appropriate staff.
Reinforce education for new patients, help them understand home dialysis products and treatment options, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with transitions to the patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain appropriate environmental integrity and aesthetics throughout the work area.