Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care; Sandusky (MI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dialysis paid training

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Fresenius Medical Care in Sandusky, Michigan, is seeking a dedicated professional to join the dialysis health care team. Your role will include providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the supervision of licensed nurses, ensuring patient wellbeing, monitoring vital signs, and maintaining accurate documentation.

The ideal candidate must have a high school diploma or GED and be committed to patient care standards. Join us to contribute to quality patient outcomes and gain valuable experience in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements.
• Experience in patient-care in a hospital or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in patient-specific education regarding treatments.
• Initiate and monitor dialysis treatments.
• Document treatment data accurately and promptly.
• Assist with infection control and audits.
• Coordinate transition for new patients in dialysis.

Skills

Patient-specific education

Cannulation

Vital signs monitoring

Documentation

Infection control

Education

High school diploma or GED

CMS-approved state/national certification

Job description

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 in accordance with organization policies, procedures, and training and in compliance with regulations set forth by the corporation, state, and federal agencies. Responsible for setup and operation of hemodialysis machines, maintenance of a safe and clean working environment, and supporting the organization commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Patient Related

• Assist other health care members in providing patient‑specific education regarding adequacy measures (OLC, AMP, UKM) and disease process/access.
• Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
• Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or per 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 intervene as prescribed by physician order.
• Monitor patients’ response to dialysis therapy and record vital signs before reinfusion.
• Discontinue dialysis per procedures, evaluate patient before termination of venous access, and record blood pressure.
• Achieve hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
• E​valuate the patient prior to discharge and record pre‑ and post‑dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs with initial identification.
• Calculate and enter individual patient dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
• Ensure safety alarms are enabled (e.g., Narrow Venous Limits 160).
• Document accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet.
• Maintain accurate documentation, including Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes.
• Report significant changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks per facility policy; report any unusual findings.
• Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and responses.
• Monitor vascular access during treatment, provide interventions, and report findings.
• Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens.
• Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant per policy.
• Organize and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.
• Monitor patients performing self‑care under RN supervision.

Staff Related

• Assist in training direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.

Education and Communication

• Follow all organizational policies, procedures, and systems incorporated into training, including 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 per facility policy.
• Prepare for dialysis treatment; document required pretreatment machine alarm testing (e.g., Pressure Holding).
• Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.

Record Keeping

• Complete and document ongoing participation in CQI activities.
• Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and promptly.
• Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures are documented; corrected by appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork for placement in chart.
• Prepare/print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat lab specimens per laboratory destination.
• Collect, label, prepare, and store lab samples per required laboratory specifications.
• Ensure collection of lab specimens by the 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 CM or designee direction, as allowed by state law.

Transitional Care Unit

• Follow all newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education and care related matters for new patients, as allowed by state law.
• Liaise with appropriate staff members to provide the best patient experience, ensuring all disciplines are scheduled per plan.
• Assist in ensuring 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 demonstrating peritoneal dialysis set‑up to patients.
• 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

• Includes desk work, personal computer use, and interaction with patients, staff, and physicians.
• Requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community, including regional and corporate meetings.
• Work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air‑temperature control and moderate noise levels; may be exposed to infectious and contagious materials.
• Requires heavy lifting and moving of patients, ambulation assistance, frequent standing, bending, pushing, and pulling equipment; up to 15 pounds of force and lifting up to 40 pounds, up to five feet, with assistance devices if necessary.
• Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failure does not preclude employment and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Education and Licenses

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must meet 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.

Experience and Required Skills

• Preferred previous patient‑care experience in a hospital setting or related facility.
• Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.

Benefits

• Dialysis paid training.
• Tuition reimbursement.