Patient Care Technician- PCT- Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care • Wilmington, DE

6d • $17 - $27 • Onsite

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 is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The technician contributes to patient satisfaction and process improvements intended to help patients achieve quality goals.

The role provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patients and vascular access, obtaining and documenting vital signs and weights, initiating and monitoring prescribed treatments, responding to treatment issues as directed, discontinuing treatment, and evaluating patients before discharge. It also involves operating and safety-checking dialysis equipment, documenting treatment information, collecting laboratory specimens, maintaining supplies, and reporting patient condition changes to nursing staff.

Additional duties include supporting staff training under nursing supervision; completing clinical and quality documentation; maintaining infection-control practices; and, in the Transitional Care Unit, helping coordinate newly admitted patients’ first four weeks of dialysis, reinforcing education, supporting treatment-option and home-dialysis awareness, assisting with modality transitions, and managing supplies and inventory.

The position involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Employees may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The work includes frequent, prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and other items. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. An Ishihara color blindness test is required as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
• Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
• Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
• Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
• Ability to perform the physical functions described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement, and lifting or lowering solutions and other items, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Provide or reinforce patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, vascular access, infection control, and dialysis or home-treatment options as permitted by state law and under appropriate supervision.
• Assess vascular access and perform cannulation and heparin administration as delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, patient evaluations, and treatment parameters.
• Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
• Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide or document interventions as prescribed or directed.
• Perform treatment reinfusion and discontinuation procedures, assess patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
• Enable required safety alarms, conduct machine safety checks, and report unusual findings or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Document treatment information accurately and promptly, including treatment sheets, vital signs, machine parameters, interventions, and progress notes when applicable.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Clean blood spills promptly and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
• Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently; assist with supply ordering and inventory for the Transitional Care Unit.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under a nurse’s supervision.
• Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data and review treatment sheets and charts for completeness and corrections by appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions.
• Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow relevant policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family infection-control education as directed.
• In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and help coordinate transitional care and scheduled interdisciplinary support.
• Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, reinforce new-patient education, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, and assist with coordinating transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
• Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical practices, and customer service standards while maintaining a safe and clean environment.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Potential performance-based bonuses for bonus-eligible positions, depending on company and individual performance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED