Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Buena Creek, CA

16d•$25 - $27

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) functions as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines and helping maintain a safe, clean work environment. The PCT supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvements intended to help patients achieve quality goals. The PCT assists with patient education and dialysis treatments, including checking vascular access, cannulation, delegated heparin administration, recording vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patient responses, addressing treatment issues as directed, and documenting care. The role also involves laboratory specimen collection and preparation, infection control, equipment cleaning and safety checks, treatment record maintenance, staff training assistance, and support for patients transitioning to dialysis care or exploring home dialysis and other treatment modalities. The position involves work in a health care facility, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. It includes direct patient care and physical activities such as lifting, moving, and assisting patients, prolonged standing, bending, and handling supplies and equipment. Exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials may occur. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet applicable CMS-approved state or national certification requirements within the required timeline and satisfy applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the dialysis training program and CPR certification. Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred. The hourly rate is $25.00–$27.00, depending on work location and qualifications. The position offers medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and parental leave.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the described physical duties, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, with assistance or material-assist devices available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility.

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their well-being since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
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 appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and conduct machine safety checks.
Monitor patient responses and intradialytic issues; provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document patient responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, assess patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly in treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and designated clinical applications.
Monitor arterial and venous access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, document, and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
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.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies, and reinforce 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 dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as permitted by state law; liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure planned disciplines see the patient.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and modality choices, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality, and support TCU supply ordering and inventory.