Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Fort Pierce, FL

14d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the 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 technician 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 PCT welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated heparin administration as permitted, obtains vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors patient responses, and documents treatment information. The technician also conducts machine safety checks, responds to patient or equipment concerns as directed, collects and prepares laboratory specimens, and supports infection-control practices. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, helps patients understand treatment options and home dialysis, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with supplies and inventory. The role involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, frequent standing and bending, and regular lifting and moving of patients and supplies. Employees must pass an Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not 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.
Demonstrate commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program as a condition of continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification as a condition of continued employment.
Be able to perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds, occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet, and occasional pushing or pulling with up to 15 pounds of force.
Pass 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

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre- and post-treatment evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings, and calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment times, and modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and observe patients while conducting machine safety checks.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, evaluate patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Document treatment parameters, patient status, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene when appropriate, and report and document unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Enter treatment data into the designated clinical application and complete ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omissions or corrections are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and coordinate laboratory specimen collection.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, follow infection-control policies, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients and liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate care according to the patient plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.