Patient Care Technician -PCT

Join Fresenius Medical Care as a Patient Care Technician (PCT) in our dialysis centers. You will function as part of the dialysis healthcare team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. This role is central to patient care delivery, combining technical machine operation with direct patient interaction and clinical assessment.

Clinical Setting

You will work in a dialysis healthcare facility environment with air temperature control and moderate noise levels. The role involves direct patient care in a team-based setting with physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff. You may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases and materials as part of standard dialysis care.

Responsibilities

Patient Care and Treatment

• Welcome assigned patients and assess their wellbeing since their last treatment
• Evaluate vascular access for patency and perform vascular access cannulation
• Administer heparin as delegated or as allowed by state law
• Obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weight, and vascular access evaluation
• Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD)
• Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide intervention as prescribed by physician order or as directed by nursing staff
• Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion and perform all functions necessary for treatment discontinuation
• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures, including standing and sitting blood pressure evaluation
• Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings
• Evaluate patients prior to discharge
• Calculate and enter individual patients' dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed
• Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160
• Record accurate and timely vital signs and treatment parameters on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification
• Document all information related to patient treatment, including completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes as applicable
• Report any significant information or change in patient condition directly to the registered nurse or supervisor
• Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy
• Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patients' response
• Evaluate patients' vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures, and provide appropriate intervention as needed
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection
• Ensure all blood spills are immediately cleaned with appropriate disinfectant according to facility policy
• Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage
• Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of the RN

Education and Communication

• Assist other healthcare members in providing patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures (Online Clearance Monitoring, Adequacy Monitoring Program, Urea Kinetic Modeling) and disease process/access
• Assist in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse
• Follow all organization business policies, procedures, and systems incorporated into training, including compliance with ethical business practices
• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics; ensure all areas are safe and clean
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surface, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments according to facility policy
• Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate
• Perform all required pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT)
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS)

Record Keeping

• Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities
• Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application in an accurate and timely manner
• Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures are documented
• Ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff
• Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement in chart
• Prepare and print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat lab specimens according to laboratory destination
• Collect, label, appropriately prepare, and store lab samples according to required laboratory specifications
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier

Infection Control

• Assist in collecting information for infection control audits
• Support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices
• Follow infection control policies and procedures
• Participate in and reinforce infection control education of patients and families under the direction of the care manager or designee as allowed by state law

Transitional Care Unit

• Follow all newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care
• Reinforce all education and care-related matters as it relates to new patients as allowed by state law
• Liaison with appropriate Fresenius Medical Care staff members to provide the best patient experience and ensure all disciplines are scheduled to see patients according to plan
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits of home dialysis, and how home dialysis can work for them
• Set up and perform a treatment on all machines used in the transitional care unit
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup
• Assist with coordination of transition to patient's modality choice
• Assist with supply ordering and inventory for the transitional care unit

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

This position requires direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation. Equipment aids and coworkers may provide assistance. The position requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and the ability to bend over. You may occasionally be required to push and pull equipment, exerting up to 15 pounds of force. You may be required to lift and lower solutions on a frequent basis of up to 30 pounds and on an occasional basis up to 40 pounds, as high as five feet. A two-person assist program and material assist devices are available for heavier items.

Day-to-day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community. Travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings may be required.

You will be required to take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. Failing the Ishihara test for color blindness does not preclude employment; the company will consider whether reasonable accommodations can be made.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training as required
• Successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program
• Successful completion of CPR certification
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards

Preferred Qualifications

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

Benefits

• Paid dialysis training
• Tuition reimbursement
• Competitive pay and benefits
• Healthcare benefits eligible 30 days after hire date
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and ESL leave accrual
• 401(k) retirement benefits with match
• Many perks and discount programs available

Additional Information

Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.