Patient Care Technician Preceptor - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Shreveport, LA

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, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. This role involves patient education, administering and monitoring dialysis treatments, performing vascular access cannulation, obtaining vital signs, and documenting all treatment parameters. The PCT Preceptor also participates in staff recruitment, clinical orientation, and ongoing training of direct patient care personnel, functioning as a preceptor to support quality patient care delivery. They collaborate with management on quality standards and education, and assist in designing and implementing educational programs for PCT staff. The role includes monitoring processes through CQI activities and ensuring compliance with business policies. Technical duties involve maintaining environmental integrity, cleaning equipment, and preparing for dialysis treatments. Record keeping includes accurate and timely data entry, reviewing treatment sheets, preparing patient charts, and managing lab specimens. Infection control is a key responsibility, including auditing, acting as a change agent, and reinforcing practices with staff and patients. For the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT Preceptor follows new patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforcing education, coordinating care, and assisting with understanding treatment options and supplies.

Requirements

CCHT Certification Required.
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.
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.
Successful completion of CPR certification.
Ability to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist in providing patient-specific education regarding dialysis adequacy measures and disease process/access.
Welcome assigned patients, inquire about their well-being, and evaluate vascular access.
Perform vascular access cannulation and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
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.
Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures and evaluate patient prior to discharge.
Calculate and enter individual patients’ dialysis machine programming for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Record accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters.
Document information related to patient treatment, including completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and progress notes.
Report significant information and/or change in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patient and conduct machine safety checks.
Perform and document interventions for unusual patient status and document patients' response.
Evaluate patients’ vascular access during treatment, provide appropriate intervention, and report findings.
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.
Function as a preceptor in direct patient care training.
Deliver and maintain on-going competency evaluations/audits for other PCT’s.
Collaborate with the Clinical Manager and Education Coordinator in driving organization quality standards through education.
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 personnel regarding the integrity and safety of facility water systems.
Partner with RN and IDT staff to educate personnel regarding the maintenance of environmental integrity, including patient and staff safety.
Ensure a strong communication process between Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, direct patient care staff, and support staff regarding training and development programs.
Participate in implementing and potentially designing creative educational programs for PCT staff.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers and Education Coordinators in scheduling and implementing training programs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Reinforces all education and care related matters as it relates to the new patient.
Liaisons with appropriate FKC staff members to provide the best patient experience.
Assists in assuring patient understanding or home dialysis products, benefits of home and how home dialysis can work for them.
Sets and performs 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.
Assists with coordination of transition to patient’s modality choice.
Assists with supply ordering and inventory for TCU.