Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care is seeking a Patient Care Technician (PCT) to support the hemodialysis healthcare team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy to patients. Working under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, you will be responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines, patient care activities, equipment maintenance, and clinical documentation.

Clinical Setting

You will work in a hemodialysis facility as part of a healthcare team committed to delivering quality patient care and continuous quality improvement.

Responsibilities

Patient Care

• Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment; report any complaints or observations to the nurse supervisor
• 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
• Evaluate vascular access for patency and report any unusual findings to the nurse supervisor
• Obtain necessary pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight; report unusual findings
• Perform vascular access evaluation pre-treatment and report unusual findings
• Perform vascular access cannulation and report any difficulties or unusual findings
• Administer Heparin as delegated or as allowed by state law
• 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
• Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy and report any unusual findings
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion and perform all relevant functions necessary for treatment discontinuation
• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures
• Evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access (standing and sitting blood pressure)
• Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings
• Evaluate the patient prior to discharge and report any unusual findings
• Perform and record pre- and post-dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs with initial identification
• Calculate and enter individual patients' dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, sodium (Na) modeling, and UF modeling as prescribed
• Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160
• Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters onto the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet with initial identification
• Document information related to patient treatment including completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and, if applicable, progress notes
• Report any significant information and/or change in patient condition directly to the nurse supervisor
• Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy; report any change or unusual findings
• Perform and document any intervention for unusual patient status and document patients' response to intervention
• Evaluate patients' vascular access during treatment including arterial and venous monitoring pressures; provide appropriate intervention as needed, document, and report any unusual findings
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection

Maintenance and Technical

• 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 pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT)
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system
• Ensure that all blood spills are immediately cleaned with appropriate disinfectant according to facility policy
• Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage

Clerical and Administrative

• Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities
• Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and in a timely manner
• Review treatment sheets for completeness; ensure nursing signatures are documented and omitted entries are completed or corrected
• Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement in chart
• Prepare 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

Required Qualifications

• CMS-approved state and/or national certification OR high school diploma or G.E.D. (must meet certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline)
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training as required
• Successful completion of the FMCNA dialysis training program
• Current CPR certification
• Successful completion of Ishihara's Color Blindness test

Preferred Qualifications

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

Compensation

Hourly rate: $25 - $31, depending on work location and qualifications including relevant education, work experience, skills, and competencies.

Additional Requirements

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