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 facility environment with air temperature control and moderate noise levels. The setting may expose you to infectious and contagious diseases and materials. You will have regular interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians, and may be required to travel between assigned facilities and various community locations.

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 and weight
• 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
• Calculate and enter individual patients' dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling
• 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
• Report significant information and changes in patient condition directly to the registered nurse or supervisor
• Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy
• Evaluate patients' vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection
• Ensure all blood spills are immediately cleaned with appropriate disinfectant
• Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage
• Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision

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 applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nursing supervision
• Follow all organization business policies, procedures, and systems, including compliance with ethical business practices
• Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics; ensure all areas are safe and clean
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments
• Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment
• Perform all required pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT)
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS)

Record Keeping and Documentation

• Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities
• Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and timely
• Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures are documented
• Prepare initial patient charts for admission and compile appropriate paperwork
• Prepare and print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat lab specimens
• Collect, label, appropriately prepare, and store lab samples according to 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 for new patients, as allowed by state law
• Liaison with appropriate Fresenius Medical Care staff members to provide the best patient experience
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and options
• Set up and perform treatments 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 involving heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation. Equipment aids and coworkers may provide assistance. You must be able to:

• Stand for frequent, prolonged periods
• Bend over regularly
• Occasionally push and pull equipment, exerting up to 15 pounds of force
• Lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds, as high as 5 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.

You will be required to take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. Failing this test 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 related facility

Compensation and Benefits

Hourly Rate: $17.00 - $27.00 (based on work location and qualifications, including relevant education, work experience, skills, and competencies)

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Paid dialysis training
• Tuition reimbursement
• Generous PTO and ESL leave accrual
• Healthcare benefits eligibility 30 days after hire date
• Many perks and discount programs
• Potential for performance-based bonuses (depending on company and individual performance)

Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.