Patient Care Technician Preceptor - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Milwaukee, WI

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician Preceptor works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide 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 sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including patient satisfaction and process improvement. In addition to direct patient care, the preceptor supports recruitment, clinical orientation, ongoing training, competency evaluations, and development of patient care technicians and other facility staff. The position reinforces quality, regulatory, infection-control, and safety standards, and participates in transitional care for newly admitted dialysis patients, including education about treatment options and coordination of care. Duties include recording treatment information, collecting and preparing laboratory samples, maintaining dialysis equipment and the care environment, and assisting patients with self-care under RN supervision. The role is based at the clinic at 2615 W. Silver Spring Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53209. Work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, business-unit, and corporate meetings may also be required. The healthcare-facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care involves frequent, prolonged standing, bending, and lifting or moving patients; frequent lifting of solutions up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds; and occasional pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force. Assistance devices and two-person assistance are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by CMS; applicable state licensure, education, and training are required.
CCHT certification is required, as stated in the posting.
Demonstrated 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 and CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; assisting with patient lifting, moving, and ambulation; frequent lifting of solutions up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds; and occasional pushing or pulling with up to 15 pounds of force.
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 travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, business-unit, and corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education with other healthcare team members on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures; respond to intradialytic problems as directed.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patient response to treatment, evaluate vascular access and treatment pressures, intervene as appropriate, and promptly report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document patient evaluations, treatment parameters, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly in treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, and designated clinical applications.
Observe patients and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment, and immediately clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectants.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with self-care as applicable.
Participate in recruitment of clinical staff; assist with orientation and ongoing training of direct patient care personnel and facility staff.
Precept direct patient care training in accordance with state guidelines, regulations, organizational standards, policies, and clinical training manuals.
Deliver and maintain competency evaluations and audits for other PCTs; provide developmental support to clinical and facility staff.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, RNs, and interdisciplinary team staff on education, quality standards, regulatory requirements, CQI, training schedules, and organizational development.
Educate appropriate personnel about facility water-system integrity and safety and environmental integrity, including patient and staff safety, as permitted by local regulations.
Participate in CQI activities and monitor patient-care processes; support ethical business practices and ensure policies, procedures, and systems are incorporated into training.
Maintain safe and clean areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Review treatment sheets for completeness and signatures, follow up on omitted entries with appropriate staff, and prepare initial patient charts and related paperwork.
Assist with facility quality-assurance and infection-control audits; monitor and reinforce staff and patient adherence to infection-control policies under the direction of the Clinical Manager or designee.
Support infection-control education and engagement through new-hire reinforcement, patient and staff meetings, visual media, and responses to facility surveys as directed.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with facility staff to coordinate services, and support patient understanding of home dialysis products and treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit, assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality, and help coordinate TCU supply ordering and inventory.