Patient Care Technician - PCT CCHT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Fernandina Beach, FL

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of the dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines and helping maintain a safe, clean care environment. The technician supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities, including initiatives related to patient satisfaction and improved patient outcomes. Duties include preparing patients and equipment for treatment; evaluating vascular access; initiating, monitoring, and discontinuing dialysis treatments; recording treatment data and patient responses; reporting changes in patient condition; and collecting and preparing laboratory specimens. The role also supports staff training, infection-control practices, and transitional care for newly admitted dialysis patients, including education about treatment options and home dialysis.

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, 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 weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
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.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights, vital signs, and patient evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks and pretreatment alarm testing.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, intervene as prescribed or directed, and document outcomes.
Evaluate vascular access and monitor arterial and venous pressures during treatment; document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and clinical application entries.
Report significant information and changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments, and promptly clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently and help prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff under nurse supervision.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted or corrected entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Support infection-control audits, adherence to infection-control practices, and infection-control education for patients and families under appropriate direction.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, help coordinate staff visits according to the care plan, and support patient understanding of home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit, assist with demonstrations such as peritoneal dialysis setup, and coordinate transitions to the patient's chosen modality.
Assist with transitional care unit supply ordering and inventory.