Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Fort Lauderdale, 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 and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients during dialysis, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted by state law, records vital signs and treatment data, sets up and discontinues treatments, responds to treatment issues, and reports significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also supports patient education, laboratory specimen collection, infection control, staff training, and accurate clinical recordkeeping. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps coordinate newly admitted patients’ first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, supports understanding of treatment and home dialysis options, and assists with treatment and supply coordination. This position involves desk and computer work, interaction with patients and health care staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The position includes direct patient care, frequent standing and bending, and regular heavy lifting or moving of patients, with equipment or coworker assistance available. 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 for continued employment.
Successfully complete CPR certification for continued employment.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and moving, 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

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and follow organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up, operate, and safety-check hemodialysis machines, including conducting pretreatment alarm tests and initiating the Solution Delivery System.
Welcome patients, inquire about their wellbeing, evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, vascular access assessments, and treatment parameters.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures; assess patients before discharge.
Calculate and enter prescribed machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling, and ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed; document interventions and patient responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access and arterial and venous pressures during treatment, 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 requirements.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills using appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of an RN.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, ethical practices, and infection control policies; support staff and patient adherence to infection control practices and assist with infection control audits.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly, review treatment sheets for completeness, and help ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and support appropriate chart placement and laboratory specimen collection.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to plan.
Assist patients in understanding home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; help coordinate 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.