Float PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Sevierville, TN

About The Position

The Float PCT works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including assessing vascular access, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders, monitoring patient responses, documenting treatment information, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The Float PCT also supports laboratory specimen collection, infection control, staff training, and the preparation and maintenance of dialysis equipment and supplies. In the Transitional Care Unit, the role supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis. Responsibilities include reinforcing education, coordinating care with facility staff, helping patients understand treatment and home dialysis options, supporting modality transitions, and assisting with supply ordering and inventory. The position involves travel between assigned facilities and community locations, direct patient care with frequent standing and lifting, and work in a healthcare environment where exposure to infectious or contagious materials may occur. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Meet applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and heavy lifting or moving of patients, with assistance from equipment or coworkers as needed.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital or related facility.

Responsibilities

Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits.
Monitor patients and machine safety during treatment; evaluate intradialytic problems and intervene as prescribed or directed.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and report unusual findings.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient-care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly work areas; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into the clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under direction as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients and liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduling of disciplines.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options; demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup and assist with modality-choice transitions.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and corporate meetings may be required.