Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Albany, NY

11d•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. The role follows organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. It is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and outcomes. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted by law, takes and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders, responds to treatment issues, and documents care accurately. The position also prepares and collects laboratory specimens, completes treatment records, maintains equipment and infection-control practices, and supports patient education and transitional dialysis care. Work includes regular direct patient care and physical activity, including assisting with patient movement and handling supplies and equipment. The schedule after training is 5:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., three days per week, with two Saturdays per month and no Sundays. Paid training is provided. A sign-on bonus may be available to dialysis-experienced new hires who hold CHT certification and have at least nine months of dialysis technician experience.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Ability to meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment as described.
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.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.
For sign-on bonus eligibility: CHT certification and at least nine months of experience working as a dialysis technician.

Responsibilities

Assist healthcare team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
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 record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine parameters, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, assess and intervene in treatment problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Conduct patient and machine safety checks and monitor vascular access pressures during treatment.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in 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 dialysis treatments, conduct required machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Tests, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness and proper signatures.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, follow infection-control policies, support adherence, and reinforce patient and family education under direction as permitted by state law.
For transitional care patients, follow patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, coordinate care and appointments, reinforce education, and support understanding of home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit, assist with modality transitions, and support transitional care unit supply ordering and inventory.