Patient Care Technician - PCT - CCHT

Fresenius Medical Care•Clermont, FL

4d•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, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvement goals. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment; assesses vascular access; obtains and documents vital signs, weights, and treatment information; initiates, monitors, and discontinues dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures; and reports changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also prepares and collects laboratory specimens, performs safety checks, cleans and disinfects equipment and treatment areas, supports infection-control practices, and maintains accurate clinical records. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and modality transitions, and supports patients in understanding home dialysis options and products. The role may also assist with staff training, supplies, and inventory. The work includes desk and computer tasks and direct patient care in a health care facility. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required, and travel to regional, business-unit, or corporate meetings may be required. The work environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Physical duties include frequent, prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and handling supplies and solutions. The employee may occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift 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.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s 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.
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 physical duties described, including patient handling, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or lowering supplies and solutions.

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 organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and patient evaluations, including initial identification.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required machine safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits, and conduct machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm tests, including Pressure Holding testing.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, assess intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and document patient responses.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures; assess patients before termination of venous access and discharge; obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, and report unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Record accurate and timely vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, and other required patient-treatment information in the designated clinical application and treatment records.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and maintain a safe, clean, and orderly treatment environment.
Prepare, organize, and efficiently use supplies and equipment to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, and systems, including ethical business practices.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to facility policy.
Initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, and prepare or 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 policies, and reinforce patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as permitted by state law.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit 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 appointments follow the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of the patient’s transition to their chosen modality, set up and perform treatments on Transitional Care Unit machines, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.