Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organization policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulatory requirements. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and participates in quality improvement activities intended to support patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The PCT supports patients throughout dialysis treatments, including assessing vascular access, obtaining and documenting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed procedures, monitoring patient responses, responding to intradialytic problems as directed, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also involves treatment documentation, laboratory specimen handling, equipment preparation and disinfection, infection-control practices, and assistance with patient education and staff training under appropriate supervision. In a Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and helps coordinate transitional care, education, treatment-option awareness, and supplies. The role includes direct patient care and work in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings.

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.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification to remain employed.
Pass 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 involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as 5 feet. Assistance or material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy as part of the health care team under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, cannulate access, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including required standing and sitting blood pressure checks.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients' responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform interventions as prescribed or directed, and document responses.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform machine safety checks, pretreatment alarm testing, and other treatment-preparation tasks; initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete accurate and timely treatment records, enter data in the designated clinical application, review treatment sheets for completeness, and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
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.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits; support adherence to infection-control practices and reinforce patient and family education as directed.
Prepare initial patient charts and related admission paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
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 information for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordinating transition to the patient's chosen modality, setting up and performing treatments on TCU machines, and managing TCU supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe, clean, and appropriate care environment and follow organization business policies, procedures, and ethical practices.