Patient Care Technician Preceptor - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Gary, IN

13d•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. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities. The preceptor also assists with patient education and care, clinical staff orientation and training, competency evaluations, infection control, record keeping, and transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients. The position requires direct patient care, including monitoring patients before, during, and after dialysis; operating and checking dialysis equipment; documenting treatment information; identifying and reporting changes in patient condition; and supporting patients with self-care when applicable. The preceptor helps train and develop clinical staff, reinforces regulatory and organizational standards, and collaborates with clinical leaders and education personnel to implement training and quality initiatives. The work is performed in a health care facility and involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. It includes travel between assigned facilities and community locations, with possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and corporate meetings. Employees may encounter infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The role involves frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and handling solutions and equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by CMS; the posting also specifies CCHT/CHT certification required.
All 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 perform the physical requirements of the role, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting with ambulation, and lifting and moving patients and supplies.
Employees must take 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

Assist the care team in providing patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and intervene as prescribed or directed.
Perform and document reinfusion, hemostasis, dressings, discharge evaluations, and other treatment-related functions.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Accurately and promptly document vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, patient responses, and other treatment information.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare specimens, and support specimen collection and handling.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectants and prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with self-care as applicable.
Participate in recruiting clinical staff and assist with clinical orientation and ongoing training of direct patient care personnel and facility staff.
Serve as a preceptor for direct patient care training in accordance with state guidelines, regulations, organizational standards, and policies.
Deliver and maintain competency evaluations and audits for other PCTs.
Collaborate with clinical managers and education coordinators on quality standards, regulatory and legal requirements, and continuous quality improvement.
Provide developmental support to clinical and facility staff and assist in training direct patient care personnel under nurse supervision.
Educate appropriate personnel on facility water-system integrity and environmental integrity, including patient and staff safety, as allowed by local regulations.
Support communication among clinical managers, education coordinators, direct patient care staff, and support staff regarding training and development initiatives.
Participate in designing or implementing educational programs for PCT staff and assist with scheduling and implementing training programs.
Monitor patient-care processes through regular CQI activities and incorporate business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical practices into training.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatment areas and perform and document required machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing; initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Document participation in CQI activities and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and promptly.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure signatures and omitted entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of lab samples.
Assist with facility infection control audits, monitor adherence to infection control practices, reinforce policies with new hires, patients, and staff, and participate in related education and survey responses under direction.
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 with staff to support the patient experience, and help patients understand home dialysis products and options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit and demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as applicable.
Assist with coordinating patients’ transitions to their chosen modality and with transitional care unit supply ordering and inventory.