Patient Care Technician Preceptor - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•West Des Moines, IA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician Preceptor works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supports quality improvement and patient satisfaction activities. In addition to direct patient care, the preceptor supports recruitment, clinical orientation, training, and ongoing competency evaluations for patient care technicians and other facility personnel. The role collaborates with clinical managers, education coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members on training, quality standards, regulatory requirements, infection control, and facility operations. The position includes maintaining treatment and laboratory records, preparing and disinfecting equipment, and supporting transitional care for newly admitted dialysis patients. Work takes place in a health care facility and involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, exposure to infectious materials, and frequent physical activity including standing, bending, and lifting.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by CMS.
Any 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.
Attendance at 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 role’s physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient ambulation and movement, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.
Completion of the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess 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 vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, monitor patient responses, and report significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment information accurately and promptly, including vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, and patient responses.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with self-care as applicable.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier pickup of specimens.
Prepare supplies and equipment efficiently and clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Participate in recruiting clinical staff and assist with clinical orientation, ongoing training, and staff development.
Serve as a preceptor for direct patient care training according to applicable state guidelines and organizational standards.
Deliver and maintain competency evaluations and audits for other PCTs.
Collaborate with clinical managers, education coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary staff on quality standards, regulatory requirements, training, and continuous quality improvement.
Educate appropriate personnel about facility water systems, environmental integrity, safety, and training programs as allowed by local regulations.
Monitor patient-care processes through regular CQI activities and support organizational business policies and ethical practices.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly facility areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Tests, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Enter treatment data into clinical applications, review treatment sheets for completeness, and help prepare patient charts and lab requisitions.
Assist with facility infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, and support infection-control education for staff, patients, and families as directed.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education for new patients, coordinate staff visits according to the care plan, and help patients understand home dialysis, treatment options, and modality choices.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations and attend regional, business unit, or corporate meetings as required.