Patient Care Technician - PCT - Training Provided

Fresenius Medical Care•Londonderry, NH

17h

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 organization policies, procedures, and applicable regulations. The PCT also supports quality improvement activities and patient satisfaction goals. The position includes 11 weeks of paid, on-the-job training. Prior dialysis experience is not required. Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification are conditions of continued employment. Upon certification, the employee receives a pay increase and promotion. The role may include transitional care responsibilities for newly admitted patients, supporting their first four weeks of dialysis and helping coordinate education and care related to treatment options and modality transitions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing; bending; assisting with patient lifting, movement, and ambulation; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and complete patient evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, identify treatment problems or unusual findings, provide interventions as directed, document responses, and report significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access and treatment pressures, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing; initiate the Solution Delivery System where required.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, collect and prepare specimens, and coordinate their collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Enter treatment data accurately and promptly, complete treatment sheets and applicable progress notes, review records for completeness, and prepare patient charts and laboratory requisitions.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities and infection-control audits; follow and reinforce infection-control practices and education as directed.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist in training applicable direct patient care staff under a nurse’s supervision.
For transitional care patients, follow new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforce education, coordinate care and staff appointments, explain home dialysis and treatment options, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, assist with modality transitions, and help manage supplies and inventory.
Maintain a safe and clean work environment and follow organization policies, procedures, and ethical business practices.