Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Hillsboro Beach, FL

12d

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, complying with organizational policies and applicable regulations, and supporting Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities. The PCT assists with patient education and care before, during, and after dialysis treatments. Duties include assessing vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, monitoring patient response, recording treatment information, reporting changes in patient condition, and collecting laboratory specimens. The role also includes cleaning and disinfecting treatment areas and equipment, supporting infection-control practices, and assisting with staff training under nurse supervision. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, supports patient understanding of home dialysis options, and assists with 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, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. The position requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending, and may involve pushing or pulling equipment and lifting solutions and other items.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (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.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to perform the described physical duties, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient movement and ambulation assistance, and lifting solutions and other 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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and intervene as prescribed or directed; monitor and document patient responses.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion and perform and document the procedures needed to discontinue treatment, including standing and sitting blood pressure checks.
Obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Accurately and promptly document vital signs, treatment parameters, treatment information, and any applicable progress notes.
Report significant information, patient-condition changes, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy; perform and document interventions and patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare specimens, and collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection according to laboratory specifications.
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 business 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 treatments, document as appropriate, conduct required pretreatment machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and nursing signatures, and ensure appropriate staff complete or correct omitted entries.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork; 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 applicable policies and procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as allowed by state law; liaise with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and how home dialysis may work for them.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit; help explain treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordinating transitions to the patient’s chosen modality and with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.