Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Sanford, FL

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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction initiatives. The technician follows organization policies and procedures, required training, and applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment; assesses vascular access; performs cannulation and other delegated tasks as permitted; obtains and records vital signs and weights; initiates, monitors, and discontinues treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures; and reports changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes accurate treatment documentation, laboratory specimen collection and preparation, machine and environmental cleaning, infection-control support, and participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports patients in understanding home dialysis and treatment options, assists with transitions to the selected modality, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The position involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, frequent standing and bending, and regular lifting and moving of patients and supplies. Employment requires passing an Ishihara color blindness test; failure does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required 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.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Pass 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 regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
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 to a height of five feet.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy as part of the health care team under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and according to policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights; evaluate patients before, during, and after treatment, including before discharge.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures, including programming ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Observe patients, perform machine safety checks, ensure required safety alarms are enabled, and conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
Identify and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, document interventions and patient responses, and promptly report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters and patient information accurately and promptly, complete treatment sheets and applicable progress notes, and review records for completeness and required corrections.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage; initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe, clean, and aesthetically appropriate work areas.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities and assist with infection-control audits and adherence to infection-control practices.
Support infection-control education for patients and families under the direction of the CM or designee, as permitted by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of transition to the patient’s chosen modality and help with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit.