Patient Care Technician - PCT - Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Londonderry, NH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable state and federal regulations. Responsibilities include setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean treatment environment, and participating in quality improvement activities related to patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including greeting and assessing patients, checking vital signs and weight, evaluating and cannulating vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patients and machine safety, responding to changes in condition, documenting treatment information, and collecting laboratory specimens. The technician also cleans and prepares equipment and treatment areas, supports infection-control practices, and assists with staff training under nurse supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with equipment setup and supply inventory. No prior dialysis experience is required; paid, on-the-job training is provided for 11 weeks, with a pay increase and promotion upon national certification. Continued employment depends on successfully completing the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.

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.
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 is dependent on successful completion.
Pass the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient-care tasks involving frequent and prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility.
Experience as a nursing assistant, CNA, or phlebotomist.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Provide patient-specific education support on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate and within applicable scope.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment times, and modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to treatment, conduct machine safety checks, evaluate vascular access pressures, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Intervene for intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and document interventions and patient responses.
Perform pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, including required standing and sitting blood pressures, and discontinue treatment according to established procedures.
Obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Complete accurate and timely treatment records, including the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes when applicable.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange for pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
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 for dialysis and perform required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing; initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Support infection-control audits, practices, procedures, and patient and family education under the direction of the clinical manager or designee and as allowed by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate with facility staff to support the planned patient experience, and help patients understand home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, and assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.