Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Boynton Beach, FL

7d•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 requirements, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and supports Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including initiatives to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patient responses, documenting care, and reporting changes or concerns to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also performs machine safety checks, prepares laboratory specimens, maintains supplies and equipment, and follows infection-control procedures. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and transitions to a chosen dialysis modality, and assists with supply ordering and inventory. The work includes interaction with patients, staff, and physicians, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and may include travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings. The environment is a temperature-controlled health care facility with moderate noise and possible exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. Employees must take an Ishihara color vision test; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will 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 to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient ambulation, and lifting or moving patients and equipment, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.
Take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

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.
Assess vascular access for patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and other required patient evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, 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 machine safety alarms are enabled and perform patient and machine safety checks.
Monitor patient response to treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform interventions as prescribed or directed, and document patient responses.
Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor arterial and venous pressures, intervene as needed, and report unusual findings.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, and other patient treatment information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information and changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and maintain a safe, clean environment.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis machines and conduct required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT); initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Complete and document participation in CQI activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and promptly.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures are documented, and have omitted entries completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection-control audits, support adherence to infection-control practices, and reinforce infection-control education for patients and families under direction and as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients and liaise with appropriate staff to help ensure disciplines see patients according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with transitions to the patient's selected modality.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.