Patient Care Technician Preceptor - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Spokane, WA

11d

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 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 work environment, and supports quality improvement and patient satisfaction efforts. The position delivers and documents patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including assessing vascular access, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing prescribed treatments, monitoring patient response, addressing problems as directed, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting significant changes to the registered nurse or supervisor. It also supports patients performing self-care under RN supervision. As a preceptor, the technician assists with recruitment, orientation, training, and ongoing competency evaluations for clinical staff. The role works with clinical managers, education coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members to reinforce quality, regulatory, infection-control, safety, and continuous-improvement practices. Additional responsibilities include maintaining treatment equipment and the care environment, completing records, and supporting transitional care for newly admitted dialysis patients during their first four weeks of treatment.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
All applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
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.
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 take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; a failed test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing, and bending; occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
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 health care team members on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, where appropriate.
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-, intradialytic, and post-treatment vital signs and weights; evaluate patients before, during, and after treatment.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures, including setting blood and dialysate flow, ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Monitor patient response and machine safety; assess and address intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, document interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and record accurate, timely treatment parameters and patient information in required records and clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and store specimens according to laboratory requirements, and ensure courier collection.
Clean blood spills promptly and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor and assist patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Participate in recruiting clinical staff and assist with orientation, training, and ongoing competency evaluations for patient care personnel and facility staff.
Serve as a preceptor for direct patient care training in accordance with state guidelines, organizational standards, policies, and training manuals.
Collaborate with clinical managers and education coordinators to promote quality standards, regulatory compliance, continuous quality improvement, and staff development.
Support education about facility water systems, environmental integrity, patient and staff safety, and infection-control practices.
Coordinate and support training programs, communication, and CQI activities; participate in or design educational programs for PCT staff.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis equipment and systems, conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, correct omissions through appropriate staff, prepare initial patient charts, and handle laboratory requisitions and records.
Assist with facility infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control policies and practices, and participate in related education and survey responses under designated supervision.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, coordinate care-team visits, and help patients understand home dialysis products and treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with modality transitions, supply ordering, and inventory.