Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Tamarac, FL

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal requirements. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and participates in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities intended to support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors assigned patients, performs pre- and post-treatment assessments, obtains vital signs and weights, evaluates and cannulates vascular access, and initiates, monitors, and discontinues dialysis treatments according to prescriptions and established procedures. The role includes machine programming and safety checks, documentation of treatment information, responding to patient status changes, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting concerns to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also helps train applicable direct-care staff, maintains infection-control practices, prepares and disinfects treatment areas and equipment, and completes associated records and quality activities. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand treatment options and home dialysis, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with transition planning, supplies, and inventory. The role involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, business unit, or corporate meetings may also be required. Work includes computer and desk tasks and direct patient care, including frequent standing, bending, and assisting with patient movement. The position may involve exposure to infectious materials, heavy lifting, and occasionally pushing or pulling equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. An Ishihara color blindness test is required as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will 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 all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
Ability to perform the physical functions described, including frequent standing and bending, assisting with patient movement, and lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their well-being since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform patient evaluations, and assess patients before discharge.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks and required alarm tests.
Monitor patient responses, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform prescribed or directed interventions, document responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings after treatment.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and label specimens, store them as required, and coordinate collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies and procedures, maintain a safe and clean environment, and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Complete and document participation in CQI activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and signatures, ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff, and prepare initial patient charts and laboratory requisitions.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce patient and family education under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care with relevant staff.
Reinforce education for new patients, help them understand home dialysis and treatment options, and assist with modality transition planning.
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 and, when required, attend regional, business unit, or corporate meetings.