Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Danvers, MA

1d•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 G.E.D. 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 as established by education leadership.
At least five years patient care experience in a hospital setting or a related facility preferred.
Successful completion of the organization dialysis training program.
Successful completion of CPR certification.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Attends Fresenius and publicly offered skill-based training as assigned by Clinical Manager.

Responsibilities

Assist other health care members in providing patient specific detailed education regarding adequacy measures, disease process/access.
Welcome assigned patients, evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated.
Obtain necessary pre and post treatment vital signs and weight and perform vascular access evaluation.
Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders, including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD).
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide intervention as prescribed or directed.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis therapy.
Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion, perform all relevant functions necessary for the discontinuation of treatment, and document.
Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures and evaluate patient prior to termination of venous access.
Obtain Hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings, evaluating the patient prior to discharge.
Perform and record Pre and Post dialysis evaluation, weight, and vital signs with initial identification.
Calculate and enter individual patients’ dialysis machine programming for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters onto the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet.
Accurately document information related to patient treatment, including completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes.
Report any significant information and/or change in patient condition directly to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Report any change or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform and document any intervention for unusual patient status and document patients' response to intervention.
Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, provide appropriate intervention as needed, document and report any unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain all prescribed laboratory testing and prepare specimens for collection.
Ensure that all blood spills are immediately cleaned with appropriate disinfectant.
Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under the supervision of RN.
Assist patients in performing self-care as applicable.
Participate in the recruitment process for new clinical staff.
Assist with clinical orientation and on-going training of all appropriate direct patient care personnel as well as the orientation of all facility staff.
Function as a preceptor in direct patient care training to support the delivery of quality patient care.
Deliver and maintain on-going competency evaluations/audits to ensure ongoing performance of other PCT’s.
Collaborate with the Clinical Manager and Education Coordinator in driving organization quality standards through education regarding ESRD regulatory and legal requirements and Continuous Quality Improvement.
Assist in training of applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under the supervision of a nurse.
Provide developmental support to applicable clinical and facility staff.
Partner with RN and IDT staff to educate appropriate personnel regarding the integrity and safety of the facility water systems.
Partner with RN and IDT staff to educate appropriate personnel regarding the maintenance of environmental integrity, including patient and staff safety, of the facility.
Ensure a strong communication process between Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, direct patient care staff, and all support staff regarding training and organizational development programs.
Participate in implementing and potentially designing creative educational programs for PCT staff.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers and Education Coordinators in the scheduling and implementation of training programs and processes.
Monitor processes in the delivery of patient care through regular Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
Ensure all organization business policies, procedures and systems are incorporated into training, including compliance with ethical business practices.
Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics - ensure all areas are safe and clean.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machine surface, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate, and perform all required pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing.
Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
Complete and document ongoing participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
Enter all treatment data into the designated clinical application in an accurate and timely manner.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures are documented, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected.
Prepare initial patient chart for admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement in chart.
Prepare/print lab requisitions for prescribed or stat Lab specimens.
Collect, label, appropriately prepare and store lab samples according required laboratory specifications.
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 within clinic.
Under the direction of the CM or designee monitor staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
Reinforce new hire employee adherence to infection control Policies and Procedures.
Support ongoing 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.
Follows all newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinating their transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce all education and care related matters as it relates to the new patient.
Liaise with appropriate FKC staff members to provide the best patient experience.
Assist in assuring patient understanding or home dialysis products, benefits of home and how home dialysis can work for them.
Set and perform a treatment on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
Assist in assuring patient understanding of treatment options including demonstration of the peritoneal dialysis set-up.
Assist with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
Assist with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.