Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Pensacola, 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 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 supports quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. The PCT provides patient education and treatment support; monitors patients and dialysis equipment; documents treatment information; reports changes in patient condition; collects and prepares laboratory specimens; and supports infection control. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate care during new patients’ first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports modality selection, and assists with supplies and inventory. The position involves day-to-day computer and desk work, interaction with patients and care teams, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Regional, business unit, or corporate meeting travel may also be required. The work takes place in a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care includes frequent standing and bending, assisting patients with movement and ambulation, and lifting or moving equipment and solutions. Employees must take the Ishihara color blindness test; failing it 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 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 preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting patients with ambulation, and lifting or moving solutions and equipment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assist with patient education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms, including Narrow Venous Limits, are enabled; observe patients and perform machine safety checks.
Monitor patient responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures; obtain required vital signs, assess patients before termination and discharge, achieve hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Document treatment parameters, assessments, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectant and 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 policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis, conduct and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application; review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, follow infection control policies and procedures, support adherence, and reinforce patient and family infection control education under direction as allowed 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 matters for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and the peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.