Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Panama City, FL

14d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean working environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvement goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients before, during, and after treatment; assesses vascular access; performs cannulation and other delegated tasks as permitted by state law; obtains and records vital signs and weights; initiates and discontinues prescribed dialysis treatments; monitors treatment response and machine safety; and reports changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also documents treatment information, collects and prepares laboratory specimens, maintains equipment and supplies, follows infection-control procedures, and contributes to staff training and CQI activities. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, supports patients’ understanding of treatment and home-dialysis options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with transition planning, supplies, and inventory. The work includes computer and desk tasks, interaction with patients and health care personnel, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The health care setting has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct patient care involves regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, assisting with ambulation, and frequent prolonged standing and bending. The position may require pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing the test 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.
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 and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions as specified.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education, as appropriate, about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intradialytic, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including initial patient identification and pre-treatment access evaluation.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow, and program ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, monitor patient response, and document interventions and outcomes.
Perform the functions required to discontinue treatment, obtain vital signs before reinfusion, assess patients before termination and discharge, achieve hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Enable required machine safety alarms, conduct machine and patient safety checks, and report changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as appropriate, document, and report unusual findings.
Complete accurate and timely treatment records, including the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and applicable progress notes, and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse 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 safe and clean surroundings; and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding testing, initiate the Solution Delivery System, and document as required.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing or corrected entries are handled by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and 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 infection-control procedures, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the center manager or designee as permitted 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 as permitted by state law, and 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 treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and help coordinate supplies and inventory.