Patient Care Technician Preceptor - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Aberdeen, WA

5d•$21 - $29

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician Preceptor works as part of a dialysis health care team, providing 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 organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including efforts to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. In addition to providing direct patient care, the preceptor supports recruitment, orientation, training, competency assessments, and professional development for clinical staff. The role collaborates with Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members to support quality standards, regulatory compliance, infection control, and effective staff education. The position also supports transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of treatment, including patient education, coordination among care disciplines, introduction to treatment options, and assistance with transition to the patient’s chosen modality. Work takes place in a health care facility and includes direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The role may involve exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), along with any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
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.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient ambulation and movement, and lifting solutions and supplies as described in the posting.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Employees must take 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

Educate patients, with other health care team members, on appropriate topics including adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders and monitor patient response and intradialytic issues; intervene as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue treatments according to established procedures, assess patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and on time; report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform machine safety checks, monitor vascular access during treatment, obtain prescribed laboratory tests, and prepare specimens for collection.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, clean blood spills according to facility policy, and monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Participate in recruitment of clinical staff and assist with clinical orientation, ongoing training, and facility staff orientation.
Serve as a preceptor for direct patient care training in accordance with applicable guidelines, regulations, training standards, and organizational policies.
Deliver and maintain competency evaluations and audits for other PCTs; provide developmental support to clinical and facility staff.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members on staff education, training schedules, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and CQI activities.
Educate appropriate personnel on facility water-system integrity and environmental integrity and safety, as allowed by local regulations.
Support communication about training and organizational development programs, implement or help design educational programs, and incorporate business policies and ethical practices into training.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in CQI activities; enter treatment data; review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate signatures; prepare patient charts and laboratory requisitions; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of lab specimens.
Assist with facility quality assurance and infection control audits; monitor and reinforce staff and patient adherence to infection control practices under the direction of the Clinical Manager or designee.
Support infection control education and engagement for new employees, patients, and families, and participate in education responses to facility surveys as directed.
Coordinate newly admitted patients’ transitional dialysis care through their first four weeks, reinforce education, and coordinate appropriate staff visits according to the care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.