Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•South Bay, FL

11d•$25 - $30

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 regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient assessment, vascular access care, treatment setup and monitoring, documentation, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. It also supports patient education, laboratory specimen handling, infection control, staff training, and preparation and cleaning of equipment and treatment areas. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, helps coordinate care and transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, supports understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, and assists with equipment setup, supply ordering, and inventory. Work includes travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and may include travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The role is based in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care involves frequent standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients, with occasional pushing or pulling of equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or G.E.D.
Meet Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS)-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
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 and bending, and lifting and moving patients with assistance as needed.
Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds, as high as five feet; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment requiring up to 15 pounds of force.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist with patient-specific education regarding dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment times, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, interventions, patient responses, and other required treatment information accurately and promptly.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge and before termination of venous access.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment and document, intervene, or report unusual findings as appropriate.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Observe patients, perform machine safety checks, and conduct pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT).
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between treatments according to facility policy; promptly clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste; initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under a nurse’s supervision.
Follow organizational business policies, procedures, systems, ethical practices, and infection control procedures; support infection control audits and education under the direction of the CM or designee, as permitted by state law.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities and enter treatment data in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and signatures and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by the appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with appropriate staff to coordinate services, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products and benefits, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient’s modality choice.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with TCU supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly work environment.