Patient Care Technician, PCT

About the Role

We are hiring a Patient Care Technician (PCT), also known as a Dialysis Technician Trainee, for our outpatient dialysis clinic. No prior dialysis experience is required, as we provide 12 weeks of paid, comprehensive training.

• The role involves hands-on patient care in a supportive, team-oriented environment.
• Shifts are early morning, typically four 10-hour shifts per week with every other Saturday.
• Clinics are closed on Sundays, and there are no overnight shifts.
• Candidates must be available to be scheduled Monday through Saturday; specific recurring day requests cannot be accommodated.

Key Responsibilities

• Patient Care & Treatment:
• Welcome and assess assigned patients.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency and perform cannulation.
• Administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
• Obtain and record pre and post-treatment vital signs and weight.
• Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD).
• Evaluate and intervene for intradialytic problems as prescribed.
• Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy.
• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures.
• Obtain Hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
• Evaluate the patient prior to discharge.
• Calculate and program dialysis machines for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
• Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
• Report any significant patient information or changes in condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks, reporting any changes or unusual findings.
• Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patient response.
• Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, provide intervention as needed, and report findings.
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
• Clean blood spills immediately.
• Prepare, organize, and utilize supplies and equipment efficiently.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under supervision.
• Education & Communication:
• Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding dialysis adequacy measures and disease process/access.
• Assist in training other direct patient care staff on appropriate programs.
• Follow all organization policies, procedures, and ethical business practices.
• Environment & Safety:
• Maintain environmental integrity, ensuring all areas are safe and clean.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, and equipment between treatments.
• Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and perform required machine alarm testing.
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
• Record Keeping:
• 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 all entries are completed or corrected.
• Prepare initial patient charts and compile admission paperwork.
• Prepare and print lab requisitions.
• Collect, label, prepare, and store lab samples according to specifications.
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate 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.
• Transitional Care Unit (TCU):
• Follow newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis.
• Reinforce education and care related to new patients.
• Liaise with appropriate staff for the best patient experience.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits.
• Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the TCU.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options and demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup.
• Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
• Assist with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Education:
• High School diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Must meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required timeline.
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
• Experience:
• Patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.
• No prior dialysis experience required.
• Skills & Qualifications:
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Ability to take and pass the Ishihara's Color Blindness test (failing does not preclude employment if reasonable accommodations can be made).
• Must successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program.
• Must successfully complete CPR certification.
• Physical Demands:
• Regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation.
• Requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and bending over.
• May occasionally push/pull equipment up to 15 pounds.
• May be required to lift and lower solutions up to 30 lbs frequently, and up to 40 lbs occasionally, as high as 5 feet.
• Equipment aids and/or coworkers may provide assistance.
• Working Conditions:
• Work environment characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels.
• May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• Day-to-day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, staff, and physicians.
• Position may require travel between assigned facilities and within the community. Travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.