Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Sanford, FL

6d•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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable state and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment, evaluates vascular access, obtains vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures, and documents treatment information. The role includes responding to patient status changes and treatment issues, collecting laboratory specimens, maintaining equipment and supplies, and supporting infection control practices. 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 patient understanding of home dialysis and treatment options. The role involves work in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, exposure to infectious materials, and physical activity including standing, bending, and lifting.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the applicable state or CMS timeline.
Must meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
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.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations within the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Provide or reinforce patient education on adequacy measures, disease processes, vascular access, infection control, home dialysis, and treatment options as allowed by state law and under appropriate supervision.
Evaluate vascular access patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including standing and sitting blood pressure where required.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures; perform required pre- and post-treatment evaluations and assess the patient before discharge.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to therapy, evaluate treatment problems, perform interventions as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Conduct patient and machine safety checks and document treatment parameters, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently, and clean blood spills promptly according to facility policy.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under a nurse’s supervision.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into clinical applications and review treatment sheets for completeness and corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts, compile paperwork, print lab requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with infection control audits, support adherence to infection control practices, and reinforce infection control education under the direction of the CM or designee.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and support 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.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, and systems, including ethical business practices.