Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care • Canonsburg, PA

14d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with patient care and education, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and complying with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The PCT also supports Quality Enhancement Program and Continuous Quality Improvement activities aimed at improving patient satisfaction and outcomes.

The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and monitoring treatments, documenting treatment information, responding to changes in patient condition, and preparing laboratory specimens. Additional responsibilities include equipment preparation and disinfection, record keeping, infection control, and support for staff training. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and helps coordinate education and transitions to a selected dialysis modality.

The role involves work in a health care facility, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Work may involve exposure to infectious materials, frequent standing and bending, assisting with patient movement, and lifting or lowering supplies and solutions. Major holidays are off. The organization offers 12 weeks of paid, structured training with an assigned preceptor and nurse educator, and up to $4,400 in tuition reimbursement per calendar year.

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.
• 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 direct patient care duties that include frequent, prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and supplies as described in the job posting.
• Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
• Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including initial patient identification.
• Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
• Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
• Check that required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits.
• Monitor patients’ response to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, and intervene as prescribed or directed.
• Perform and document treatment discontinuation, reinfusion, hemostasis, dressings, and patient evaluation before discharge.
• Record accurate and timely treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and other required patient information in treatment sheets and clinical applications.
• Report significant changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and vascular access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patients and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Clean blood spills and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas according to facility policy.
• Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently and prevent wastage.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
• Prepare dialysis treatments, conduct required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
• Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required nursing signatures and corrections are obtained from appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for admission, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions.
• Assist with infection control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices, 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 information for new patients as permitted by state law, and coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care plan.
• Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
• Help coordinate transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.

Benefits

• 12 weeks of paid, structured training with an assigned preceptor and nurse educator.
• Up to $4,400 in tuition reimbursement per calendar year.
• Major holidays off.

What This Job Offers

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