Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Lake Wales, 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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean environment, and following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulatory requirements. The PCT supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts to improve patient satisfaction and help patients achieve quality goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout treatment, assesses vascular access, obtains vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders, monitors patients’ responses, and documents treatment and interventions. The technician reports changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor, performs machine safety checks, collects and prepares laboratory specimens, and maintains supplies and equipment. The role also includes cleaning and disinfecting equipment and treatment areas, completing records, supporting infection-control practices, and assisting with patient and staff education under appropriate supervision. 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 understanding of treatment options and home dialysis, assists with transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and helps manage supplies and inventory. The work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, business-unit, or corporate meetings may also be required. The environment is that of a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Patient care duties regularly involve heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The position requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending, may occasionally involve pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, and requires frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not 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.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational 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 preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, assisting with ambulation, and lifting 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.

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members in providing patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and conduct vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed patient-specific machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms, including Narrow Venous Limits, are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, assess patients before termination of venous access, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and complete pre- and post-dialysis evaluations and documentation.
Record accurate and timely vital signs, treatment parameters, treatment information, and interventions on the appropriate records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as needed and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant according to facility policy.
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 organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document as required, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, 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 compile paperwork for appropriate chart placement.
Prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens and ensure specimen collection by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under appropriate direction.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as allowed by state law and liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient’s modality choice.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.