Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Seminole, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Functions 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, supporting a safe and clean work environment, and participating in quality improvement activities focused on patient outcomes and satisfaction. The technician provides patient care in accordance with organizational policies and procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The position supports patients throughout dialysis treatment, including pre- and post-treatment assessments, vascular access care, treatment initiation and discontinuation, monitoring, documentation, laboratory specimen handling, and reporting changes in patient status to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also contributes to staff training, infection control, continuous quality improvement, and transitional care for newly admitted dialysis patients. Transitional care responsibilities include reinforcing education, coordinating care and modality transitions, demonstrating treatment options, and supporting supply inventory. The work includes desk and computer tasks as well as direct patient interaction and care. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations, with possible travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur. Physical activities include heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, occasional pushing or pulling of equipment, and frequently lifting or lowering solutions. Reasonable accommodations may be considered. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all 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; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on successful completion.
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 the physical demands described, including lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or lowering solutions.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members in providing patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, assess and intervene in intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant information or changes in condition to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform treatment reinfusion and discontinuation procedures, assess patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment data, vital signs, parameters, assessments, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in required records and clinical applications.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous monitoring pressures, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse 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 a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm tests, including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for appropriate placement; prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education as directed and 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 matters for new patients as allowed by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduling of disciplines according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; coordinate transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.