Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Brandon, FL

12d

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, training, and applicable regulations. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, supporting a safe and clean environment, and participating in quality improvement activities aimed at improving patient outcomes and satisfaction. The PCT welcomes and monitors patients throughout dialysis treatment, evaluates vascular access, performs cannulation and delegated tasks as permitted, obtains vital signs and weights, initiates and discontinues treatment according to orders and procedures, monitors patient response, and reports changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role includes treatment documentation, machine safety checks, laboratory specimen handling, cleaning and disinfecting equipment, infection-control support, and assistance with staff training. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with relevant staff, supports patients in understanding home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with transition planning and supply inventory. The position involves direct patient care, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and regularly lifting or moving patients. It requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may also be required. The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Employees must 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.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required 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; 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 automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, direct patient care, and lifting or moving patients and supplies.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various community locations; 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.

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy as part of the health care team under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin as 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 specified, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming such as ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, observe patients, and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, assess intradialytic problems, perform prescribed or directed interventions, document responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue treatment according to established procedures, obtain hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, and evaluate the patient before termination and discharge.
Record accurate and timely treatment information, vital signs, parameters, interventions, and other required documentation in the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet, progress notes, and designated clinical application.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with the appropriate disinfectant and 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.
Follow business policies, procedures, systems, ethical practices, infection-control policies, and infection-control education practices; assist with infection-control audits.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Participate in and document ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure required nursing signatures and corrections or omitted entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as permitted by state law, and liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate services and support the patient experience.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of transitions to patients' chosen modalities, and help manage Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.