Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care

16h•$25 - $30

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of the 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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean treatment environment, and participating in quality improvement activities intended to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The technician welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted by state law, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders, monitors treatment response, and documents patient assessments, treatment parameters, and interventions. The position also involves laboratory specimen collection and preparation, infection control, machine preparation and disinfection, and accurate clinical recordkeeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment and home dialysis options, supports modality transitions, and assists with supply inventory. Work takes place in a healthcare facility and includes direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and frequent standing, bending, and lifting.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all 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 and CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing and bending, occasional pushing or pulling with up to 15 pounds of force, frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds, and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and according to prescribed orders, organizational procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and assess patients before, during, and after treatment.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines, calculate and enter prescribed treatment parameters, initiate treatment, monitor safety alarms, and discontinue treatment according to established procedures.
Monitor patient response, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Record accurate, timely patient treatment information, vital signs, treatment parameters, and interventions in treatment sheets and designated clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment, prevent wastage, and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Conduct pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Maintain a safe and clean environment, immediately clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant, and follow infection control policies and procedures.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection control audits; support infection control adherence and reinforce education under the direction of the care manager or designee as permitted by state law.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, ensure omitted entries are corrected by appropriate staff, and prepare admission charts and laboratory requisitions.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education for new patients, liaise with facility staff to coordinate services, and help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Assist with coordination of transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, and help manage supply ordering and inventory.