Patient Care Technician Preceptor - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Portland, OR

14d•Onsite

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, following 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 and Continuous Quality Improvement activities. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, taking and documenting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patient responses, performing interventions as directed, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting changes in patient condition. The preceptor also supports and trains clinical staff, evaluates their competencies, participates in quality and infection-control initiatives, and helps coordinate care and education for newly admitted patients in the Transitional Care Unit. Work takes place in a health care facility and includes interaction with patients, staff, and physicians, as well as travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The position may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials, frequent standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. A high school diploma or equivalent and applicable PCT certification are required. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by CMS; applicable state licensure, education, and training are required.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Attend and actively participate in applicable preceptor training programs established by education leadership.
Attend Fresenius and publicly offered skills-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 meet the position’s physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient lifting, movement and ambulation, and lifting solutions and supplies.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
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

Provide patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last 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 weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings; calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patients and dialysis machines during treatment, assess patient responses and intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures; obtain required measurements, achieve hemostasis, apply dressings, assess patients before discharge, and document treatment.
Enable appropriate safety alarms, perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, and report changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Complete accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes where applicable, and clinical application entries.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, clean blood spills promptly, and maintain a safe and clean treatment environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with self-care as applicable.
Participate in recruitment of clinical staff and provide clinical orientation, ongoing training, and developmental support to appropriate personnel.
Serve as a preceptor for direct patient care training in accordance with state guidelines, organizational standards, and training materials.
Conduct ongoing competency evaluations and audits of other PCTs.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, RNs, and interdisciplinary team members on staff education, regulatory requirements, quality standards, and training programs.
Educate appropriate personnel on facility water-system integrity, environmental integrity, and safety as allowed by local regulations.
Coordinate and support training programs, communication, and Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Support infection-control audits and practices, reinforce adherence among staff and patients, 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 for new patients, coordinate visits from appropriate disciplines, and help patients understand home dialysis products and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations, coordinate transitions to the patient’s chosen modality, and assist with TCU supplies and inventory.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate nursing signatures, prepare initial patient charts and laboratory requisitions, and ensure laboratory specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; maintain facility environmental integrity and aesthetics.