Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Olympia, WA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. Responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines and assisting in maintaining a safe and clean working environment. Supports the organization's commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI Activities, actively participating in process improvement to enhance patient satisfaction and achieve quality goals.

Requirements

High School diploma or its equivalent required.
Must have a valid PCT national certification or state specific certification as defined by Center for Medicaid/Medicare (CMS).
All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if any) required.
Demonstrated commitment to organization culture, values, and customer service standards.
Attendance and active participation in all applicable preceptor training programs.
Attends Fresenius and publicly offered skill-based training as assigned by Clinical Manager.
At least five years patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred.
Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organization dialysis training program and successful completion of CPR certification.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding dialysis adequacy measures, disease process, and access.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated.
Obtain pre and post-treatment vital signs and weight.
Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders.
Evaluate and intervene for intradialytic problems as prescribed.
Monitor patients' response to dialysis therapy.
Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion, perform discontinuation procedures, and obtain hemostasis.
Calculate and program dialysis machine settings for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Record accurate and timely treatment data on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes.
Report significant patient changes or findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Conduct machine safety checks and report any unusual findings.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and their response.
Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, document, and report findings.
Obtain and prepare all prescribed laboratory testing specimens.
Clean blood spills immediately with appropriate disinfectants.
Prepare, organize, and utilize supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care and assist as applicable.
Participate in the recruitment process for new clinical staff.
Assist with clinical orientation and on-going training of direct patient care personnel and facility staff.
Function as a preceptor in direct patient care training.
Deliver and maintain on-going competency evaluations/audits for PCTs.
Collaborate with Clinical Manager and Education Coordinator on quality standards and education.
Assist in training of direct patient care staff on appropriate programs.
Provide developmental support to clinical and facility staff.
Educate appropriate personnel regarding facility water systems and environmental integrity.
Ensure strong communication between Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, direct patient care staff, and support staff regarding training and development.
Participate in implementing and designing educational programs for PCT staff.
Collaborate in scheduling and implementing training programs.
Monitor patient care delivery through Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
Ensure all organization business policies and procedures are incorporated into training.
Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics, ensuring areas are safe and clean.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Perform pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing.
Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
Complete and document ongoing participation in CQI activities.
Enter all treatment data accurately and timely into the clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures and corrections.
Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork.
Prepare/print lab requisitions and collect, label, prepare, and store lab samples.
Ensure collection of lab specimens by appropriate lab courier.
Assist with facility QAI infection control audits.
Act as a change agent for infection control practices.
Monitor staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
Reinforce new hire employee adherence to infection control policies and procedures.
Support staff and patient engagement on infection control practices.
Reinforce patient and staff adherence to infection control policies and procedures through visual media.
Participate in education response to internal and external facility surveys.
Participate in and reinforce infection control education of patients and families.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care related matters for new patients.
Liaise with FKC staff for optimal patient experience.
Assist in assuring patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options, including demonstration of peritoneal dialysis setup.
Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
Assist with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.