Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Lake Wales, FL

13d

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 regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in quality improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including checking patients’ condition and vascular access, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and monitoring treatment, responding to patient or machine concerns, documenting care, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The PCT also supports patient education, infection control, staff training, and continuous quality improvement. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with modality transitions, equipment, and supply inventory. The role involves work in a health care facility and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. It includes frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and handling dialysis solutions and equipment. Employees must take an 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 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 to continue employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification to continue employment.
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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Provide or reinforce patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy, disease processes, vascular access, infection control, and treatment options as permitted by state law and under appropriate supervision.
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, including required patient identification and evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patient response and vascular-access pressures during treatment; evaluate problems, perform interventions as prescribed or directed, document responses, and report unusual findings or changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Conduct machine safety checks and ensure required alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits; perform required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing.
Discontinue dialysis according to procedures, obtain vital signs before reinfusion, assess the patient before treatment termination and discharge, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, vital signs, treatment parameters, and clinical application entries.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between patients.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste; maintain a safe and clean environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing or corrected entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for appropriate placement; prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, and participate in patient and family infection-control education as directed.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and support understanding of treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit; assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with TCU supply ordering and inventory.