Patient Care Technician, PCT

About the Role

Fresenius Medical Care is hiring a Patient Care Technician / Dialysis Technician Trainee for an outpatient dialysis clinic. The role provides 12 full weeks of paid, comprehensive training.

• No overnight shifts.
• Clinics closed on Sundays.
• Hands-on patient care in a supportive, team-oriented environment.
• Full-time positions with early morning start times (as early as 5 am).
• Technicians work four 10-hour shifts per week with every other Saturday.
• Candidates must be available to be scheduled Mondays through Saturdays.

Purpose and Scope

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. Responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines. Assists in the maintenance of a safe and clean working environment. Supports the organization's commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI Activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Patient Related Education:
• Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding adequacy measures (OLC, AMP, UKM) and disease process/access.
• Treatment:
• Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their well-being.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform vascular access cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
• Obtain necessary pre and post-treatment vital signs and weight.
• Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders.
• Evaluate and intervene for intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed.
• Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy.
• Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion and perform all relevant functions for discontinuation of treatment.
• Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures and evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access.
• Obtain Hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
• Evaluate the patient prior to discharge.
• 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, and UF modeling.
• Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
• Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters.
• Accurate documentation of information related to patient treatment, including completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes.
• Report significant information and/or change in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
• Perform and document any intervention for unusual patient status and document patients' response.
• Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment including arterial and venous monitoring pressures.
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
• Ensure that all blood spills are immediately cleaned with appropriate disinfectant.
• Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment.
• Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
• Staff Related:
• Assist in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
• Education/Communication:
• Follow all organization business policies and procedures.
• 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.
• Perform all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate.
• Perform all required pre-treatment dialysis 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, ensure nursing signatures are documented, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected.
• Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement in chart.
• Prepare/print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat lab specimens.
• Collect, label, 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.
• Transitional Care Unit:
• Follow all newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce all education and care-related matters for new patients.
• Liaise with appropriate FKC staff members to provide the best patient experience.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and how home dialysis can work for them.
• Set and perform a treatment on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
• Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options, including demonstration of the peritoneal dialysis set-up.
• Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
• Assist with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Day-to-day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians.
• Requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community.
• Work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels.
• May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• The position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation.
• Requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and the employee must be able to bend over.
• May be required to push and/or pull equipment, exerting up to 15 pounds of force.
• May be required to lift and lower solutions up to 30 lbs. frequently, and up to 40 lbs. occasionally, as high as 5 feet.
• Two-person assist program and "material assist" devices are available for heavier items.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Must 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 (if any) required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
• HEPAS (Hemodialysis Patient Access System) - implied by setup and operation of hemodialysis machines.
• Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet - for documentation.
• Clinical Application - for data entry.
• Solution Delivery System (SDS) - system to be initiated.
• Ishihara's Color Blindness test required as a condition of employment. Failing the Ishihara Test for Color Blindness does not preclude employment; accommodations will be considered.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Patient care experience in other fields (STNA, Phlebotomist, EMT, etc.) is preferred.
• No prior dialysis experience is required.
• Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organization dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.