Patient Care Technician Preceptor – PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Columbia, SC

4d•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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient assessment, vascular access evaluation and cannulation, machine programming, monitoring, documentation, and reporting changes in patient condition. The preceptor also supports recruitment, clinical orientation, staff training, competency evaluations, infection control, and education initiatives. In the Transitional Care Unit, the role helps coordinate newly admitted patients’ first four weeks of dialysis and supports education about treatment and modality options. Work takes place in a health care facility and includes interaction with patients, staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required, and travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required. The role may involve exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials, frequent prolonged standing and bending, and lifting or moving patients and supplies. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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 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 take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care duties involving frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and handling solutions and equipment, with assistance or material-assist devices available as described.

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, as appropriate, about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when 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, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and monitor patient responses to therapy.
Perform treatment discontinuation procedures, obtain required vital signs, assess patients before discharge, and apply dressings after hemostasis.
Calculate and enter prescribed machine settings, including ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Accurately and promptly document treatment parameters, vital signs, assessments, interventions, and patient responses; report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Conduct machine safety checks and monitor vascular access pressures during treatment; document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and store samples according to laboratory requirements, and arrange collection by the appropriate courier.
Prepare, organize, and efficiently use supplies and equipment; immediately clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectants.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist them as applicable.
Participate in recruitment of new 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 under applicable state guidelines and organizational standards.
Conduct ongoing competency evaluations and audits of other PCTs and provide developmental support to clinical and facility staff.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, RNs, and interdisciplinary team staff on regulatory education, quality standards, training programs, and continuous quality improvement.
Educate appropriate personnel, as allowed by local regulations, on facility water-system integrity, environmental integrity, and patient and staff safety.
Support communication about training and organizational development programs and help implement or design educational programs for PCT staff.
Maintain safe and clean facility areas; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis equipment, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data accurately and review treatment sheets for completeness and corrections by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and laboratory requisitions, and collect, label, prepare, and store laboratory samples according to specifications.
Assist with facility infection control audits, monitor adherence to infection control practices under direction, reinforce policies with staff and patients, and participate in related education and survey responses.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education for new patients, coordinate appropriate staff visits, and support patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and support TCU supply ordering and inventory.