Patient Care Technician Preceptor - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Milwaukee, WI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician Preceptor works as part of a dialysis healthcare team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. It is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities that promote patient satisfaction and quality outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and monitoring treatments, responding to treatment issues, documenting care, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. It also supports patients performing self-care under RN supervision. As a preceptor, the technician participates in clinical staff recruitment, orientation, training, competency evaluations, and ongoing education. The role collaborates with clinical managers, education coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members on regulatory compliance, quality initiatives, infection control, and staff development. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education about treatment and modality options, and helps coordinate transitions to the patient’s chosen modality. The work includes desk and computer tasks as well as interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may also be required. The environment is typical of a healthcare facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and potential exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct care regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, and bending. The role may require pushing or pulling equipment with up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lifting or lowering solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items.

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.
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 direct patient care involving frequent and prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and assistance with ambulation.
Ability to push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet.
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.

Nice To Haves

At least five years of patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist healthcare team members in providing patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome assigned patients, ask about their wellbeing, and assess them before 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 and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, monitor patient responses, and report changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Record accurate and timely treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and other required patient information.
Monitor patients’ vascular access and treatment pressures, provide appropriate interventions, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectants, and prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with self-care as applicable.
Participate in recruitment of new clinical staff and assist with clinical orientation, ongoing training, and facility staff orientation.
Function as a preceptor in direct patient care training in accordance with state guidelines, regulations, organization standards, and policies.
Conduct and document ongoing competency evaluations and audits for other patient care technicians.
Collaborate with clinical managers and education coordinators on quality standards, regulatory and legal requirements, CQI, and staff development.
Assist in training direct patient care staff on applicable programs under nurse supervision.
Work with RN and interdisciplinary team staff to educate personnel about facility water systems, environmental integrity, and patient and staff safety, as permitted by local regulations.
Support communication among clinical managers, education coordinators, direct patient care staff, and support staff regarding training and organizational development.
Participate in implementing and potentially designing educational programs for PCT staff, and assist with scheduling and implementing training as directed.
Monitor patient care processes through regular CQI activities and incorporate organization business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical practices into training.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis machines and treatment areas, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete CQI documentation, enter treatment data into the designated clinical application, and review treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare lab requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with facility infection control audits and reinforce infection control practices with staff, patients, and families under the direction of the Clinical Manager or designee.
Support infection control education, new-hire adherence, patient and staff engagement, and responses to internal and external facility surveys.
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, benefits, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and assist with coordination of the patient’s modality transition.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.