Patient Care Technician - PCT

Clinic Location: 5125 W. Morgan Avenue, Greenfield, WI 53220

About the Role

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, maintenance of a safe and clean working environment, and support of the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.

Responsibilities

• Patient Related Education:
  • Assist in providing patient-specific education on adequacy measures (e.g., Online Clearance Monitoring (OLC), Adequacy Monitoring Program (AMP), Urea Kinetic Modeling (UKM)) and disease process/access.
• Treatment:
  • Welcome patients and evaluate their well-being since last treatment.
  • Assess vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
  • Obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight; evaluate vascular access pre-treatment.
  • Initiate dialysis treatment per prescribed orders (blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD)).
  • Monitor and address intradialytic problems as directed by physician orders or supervision.
  • Evaluate patient response to therapy; obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion and discontinue treatment per established procedures.
  • Perform hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patient prior to discharge.
  • Calculate and program dialysis machine settings (Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, UF modeling).
  • Ensure safety alarms (e.g., Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160) are enabled.
  • Document vital signs, treatment parameters, and interventions on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet.
  • Report significant patient condition changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
  • Conduct machine safety checks and document unusual findings or interventions.
  • Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment and intervene as needed.
  • Obtain prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
  • Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectant per facility policy.
  • Prepare, 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 applicable programs under nurse supervision.
• Education/Communication:
  • Adhere to organization policies, procedures, and compliance standards.
  • Maintain a safe and clean environment; disinfect machines, chairs, and equipment between treatments.
  • Perform pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing (e.g., Pressure Holding (PHT)).
  • Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS).
• Record Keeping:
  • Document participation in CQI activities.
  • Enter treatment data accurately and timely into clinical applications.
  • Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures are documented.
  • Prepare patient charts for admission and compile necessary paperwork.
  • Prepare/print lab requisitions and ensure proper specimen collection, labeling, and storage.
  • Coordinate lab specimen collection with couriers.
• Infection Control:
  • Assist in collecting data for infection control audits.
  • Support adherence to infection control practices for staff and patients.
  • Follow and reinforce infection control policies and procedures.
  • Participate in infection control education for patients and families under supervision.
• Transitional Care Unit:
  • Coordinate care for newly admitted patients during their first 4 weeks of dialysis.
  • Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as allowed by state law.
  • Liaise with Fresenius Kidney Care (FKC) staff to ensure multidisciplinary care plans are followed.
  • Educate patients on home dialysis products and benefits.
  • Set up and perform treatments on all machines in the transitional care unit.
  • Demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup and assist patients in understanding treatment options.
  • Coordinate transition to patient’s chosen dialysis modality.
  • Assist with supply ordering and inventory for the Transitional Care Unit (TCU).

Requirements

• High School diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required timeline.
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
• Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility preferred.
• Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification required for continued employment.
• Must pass Ishihara’s Color Blindness test (reasonable accommodations may be made).

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Regular interaction with patients, staff, and physicians; desk and computer work.
• Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; occasional travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings.
• Work environment includes air temperature control and moderate noise levels; potential exposure to infectious/contagious diseases.
• Direct patient care involving heavy lifting, moving patients, and assisting with ambulation (equipment aids or coworkers may assist).
• Frequent, prolonged standing and bending; occasional pushing/pulling of equipment (up to 15 lbs. of force).
• Frequent lifting/lowering of solutions (up to 30 lbs.); occasional lifting up to 40 lbs. (two-person assist or material assist devices available).