Patient Care Technician Preceptor - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Hillsboro, OR

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 quality improvement and patient satisfaction initiatives. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, initiating and monitoring treatments, recording vital signs and treatment parameters, responding to patient or machine concerns, documenting care, and reporting changes to a registered nurse or supervisor. It also supports patient education, self-care, laboratory specimen handling, and infection control. As a preceptor, the position helps recruit and orient clinical staff, trains and evaluates patient care technicians, supports ongoing competency, and collaborates with clinical leaders and education staff on training and quality standards. Additional duties include maintaining equipment and treatment areas, completing records, and supporting transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by CMS.
All applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational 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 is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations within the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, assisting with ambulation, and heavy lifting or moving of patients, with assistance or devices available.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force and frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, as well as occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet.
Completion of the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test 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

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, training, and regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing.
Welcome patients, ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment, and conduct pre- and post-treatment assessments, including weight and vital signs.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter patient-specific machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, assessments, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with self-care as applicable.
Participate in recruitment, clinical orientation, ongoing training, and competency evaluations or audits for patient care technicians and other facility staff.
Serve as a preceptor in direct patient care training in accordance with state guidelines, regulations, and organizational training standards.
Collaborate with clinical managers, education coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members to deliver training and reinforce quality, regulatory, legal, and continuous improvement standards.
Support education and communication about facility water systems, environmental integrity, patient and staff safety, and organizational training initiatives.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities and monitor patient-care processes.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Complete treatment preparation, initiate the Solution Delivery System, and organize and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify required nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare patient charts and laboratory requisitions and complete required clinical records.
Assist with facility infection control audits, reinforce infection control practices, monitor adherence as directed, and participate in infection control education and survey responses.
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 appropriate staff visits, and help patients understand home dialysis products and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, and help coordinate transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Assist with transitional care unit supply ordering and inventory.