Acute Inpatient Care Technician - Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Marquette, MI

About The Position

The Acute Inpatient 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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, supporting quality improvement activities, and contributing to patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position performs and documents patient assessments and dialysis treatments, monitors patients and equipment, responds to changes in patient condition, collects laboratory specimens, and assists with patient education and self-care. As a preceptor, the technician supports recruitment, clinical orientation, staff training, competency evaluation, infection-control practices, and ongoing education. The role also supports transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients, including education about treatment options and coordination of care. Work involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to meetings. Exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by CMS.
All applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Attendance and active participation in applicable preceptor training programs established by education leadership.
Attend Fresenius and publicly offered skill-based training as assigned by the Clinical Manager.
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; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.
Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet, and occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force.

Nice To Haves

At least five years of patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility.

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education with other health care team members regarding adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and conduct pre-treatment evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, monitor patient response, and report significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ vascular access and machine safety, document findings and interventions, and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with self-care as applicable.
Participate in recruiting clinical staff and assist with orientation and ongoing training for direct patient care and facility personnel.
Serve as a preceptor in direct patient care training and conduct ongoing competency evaluations and audits for other patient care technicians.
Collaborate with clinical managers and education coordinators to support quality standards, regulatory and legal requirements, continuous quality improvement, and staff development.
Support education about facility water-system integrity, environmental safety, organizational training, and infection-control practices.
Participate in continuous quality improvement activities and monitor patient-care processes.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Enter treatment data accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omissions or corrections are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare patient charts and laboratory requisitions and coordinate specimen collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce adherence to infection-control policies, and support related staff and patient education.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate staff involvement according to the care plan, and support understanding of home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, assist with modality transitions, and help coordinate supply ordering and inventory.