Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Daytona Beach, FL

13d•Onsite

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 involves setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction initiatives. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, assesses vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated or legally permitted heparin administration, initiates and discontinues dialysis treatments, monitors treatment response, and responds to patient or machine concerns as directed. The technician obtains and documents vital signs, weights, treatment parameters, interventions, and other required clinical information; reports significant changes to the nurse or supervisor; and collects and prepares prescribed laboratory specimens. Additional duties include maintaining equipment and treatment areas, completing machine safety checks and preparation, supporting infection control practices, assisting with staff training under nurse supervision, and participating in continuous quality improvement activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with relevant staff, helps patients understand treatment options, and assists with supplies and inventory. The position includes desk and computer work, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The work environment is that of a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct patient care requires frequent standing and bending, assisting patients with movement and ambulation, and lifting or moving equipment and solutions. The employer requires 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 any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
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 described physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting and moving items as specified.

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 in accordance with policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up, operate, prepare, and perform safety checks on hemodialysis machines, including required alarm testing and solution delivery system initiation.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intradialytic, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, vascular access evaluations, and treatment parameters.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients' response to treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform and document interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, evaluate patients before discharge, and complete required treatment documentation.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange appropriate courier collection of specimens.
Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills using facility-approved disinfectant.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices; maintain safe and clean work areas.
Enter treatment data accurately and promptly, review treatment sheets for completeness and signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Assist with infection control audits, reinforce infection control practices, follow infection control policies and procedures, and support patient and family education under direction 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 information for new patients, liaise with staff to coordinate care and appointments, and help patients understand home dialysis products and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstrations of peritoneal dialysis setup, and help coordinate transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.