Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Port Charlotte, FL

10d•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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with a safe and clean working environment, and supporting quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities focused on patient outcomes and satisfaction. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks permitted by law, takes and records vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatments according to prescribed orders, and responds to treatment-related issues. The technician documents treatment information, monitors machine safety and patient response, reports changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor, and collects and prepares laboratory specimens. The position also involves preparing and disinfecting equipment and treatment areas, maintaining supplies, supporting infection-control practices, assisting with staff training under nurse supervision, and completing clinical records and quality-improvement documentation. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT helps guide newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, supports modality-choice transitions, and assists with supply inventory. The job involves desk and computer work as well as direct patient care in a health care facility. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings may also be required. The employee may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The role includes frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and regularly lifting or moving patients, with equipment or coworker assistance available. It 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. Reasonable accommodations may be considered. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing it does not automatically preclude employment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet applicable CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet 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; continued employment is dependent on completion.
Successfully complete CPR certification; continued employment is dependent on completion.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; direct patient care involving heavy lifting and moving patients; and lifting or lowering solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, as high as five feet.

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.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and assist in maintaining a safe, clean working environment.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor vascular access during treatment.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform patient evaluations before, during, and after treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow, and calculate and enter machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatments according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, evaluate patients before discharge, and document treatment completion.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and conduct patient observation and machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, patient responses, and other treatment information accurately and promptly; report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment to prevent wastage; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, ethical business practices, and infection-control procedures; support infection-control practices and audits and reinforce patient and family education as directed and permitted by law.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, initiate the Solution Delivery System, and document required tasks.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required nursing signatures and corrections are completed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
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 for new patients, liaise with facility staff to support patient experience and scheduled multidisciplinary visits, and help patients understand home dialysis products and options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstrations such as peritoneal dialysis setup, coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.