Patient Care Technician Preceptor - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Milford, OH

15d

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 sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean care environment, and supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient education, vascular access care, monitoring, documentation, and reporting changes in patient condition. The preceptor also supports recruitment, clinical orientation, staff training, competency evaluations, infection-control practices, and quality initiatives. In the Transitional Care Unit, the role coordinates support and education for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis and helps patients understand treatment and modality options. The work takes place in a health care facility and involves interaction with patients, staff, and physicians. It includes desk and computer work, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, exposure to infectious or contagious materials, and frequent standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients or equipment. Reasonable accommodation may be considered. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment if reasonable accommodation can be made.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by CMS, along with any applicable state licensure, education, and training.
CCHT certification required, as stated in the job title heading.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Attendance and active participation in applicable preceptor training programs established by education leadership.
Completion of assigned Fresenius and publicly offered skill-based training.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and 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 automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and moving, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance devices and a two-person assist program are available for heavier items.

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 on adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome patients and ask about their well-being 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 vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide or document interventions as prescribed or directed.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, vital signs, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Conduct machine safety checks and monitor vascular access pressures during treatment.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and store specimens, and coordinate their collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently; clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist them as applicable.
Participate in recruitment of new clinical staff and assist with staff orientation, training, competency evaluations, and audits.
Serve as a preceptor for direct patient care training in accordance with state requirements, organizational standards, and policies.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary staff on training, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and continuous quality improvement.
Educate appropriate personnel about facility water-system integrity and environmental safety, as allowed by local regulations.
Support communication and implementation of training and organizational development programs; monitor care processes through CQI activities.
Maintain clean and safe facility areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis equipment, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Enter treatment data into the designated clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness and corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and laboratory requisitions, and collect, label, prepare, and store specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Assist with facility infection-control audits, monitor adherence to infection-control practices under direction, and reinforce infection-control education for staff, patients, and families as allowed by law.
Support infection-control education and survey responses under the direction of the Clinical Manager or Education Department.
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 help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, 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 transitions to patients’ selected modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.