Patient Care Technician Preceptor - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Ashland, OH

12d

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, maintains a safe and clean work environment, and supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), continuous quality improvement (CQI), patient satisfaction, and process improvement activities. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessment, cannulation, treatment initiation and discontinuation, monitoring, documentation, specimen collection, and response to patient needs. It also serves as a preceptor and supports recruitment, orientation, staff training, competency evaluations, infection control, and educational initiatives. The role may support transitional care for newly admitted dialysis patients during their first four weeks, reinforcing education, coordinating care, explaining treatment options, and assisting with transition to the patient’s chosen modality. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and may require travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The work environment is a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur. The position involves frequent standing and bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions and equipment within the stated weight limits. A valid PCT national or applicable state certification is required, as well as a high school diploma or equivalent and 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.
CCHT certification required, as stated in the job posting.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Attendance and active participation in applicable preceptor training programs established by education leadership.
Attend Fresenius and publicly offered skill-based training as assigned by the Clinical Manager.
Successful completion of the organization dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent and prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, 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 and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.
Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

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 regarding dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire 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 flow and dialysate flow settings.
Evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed; monitor patient response to therapy.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to procedures, assess the patient before termination of venous access, achieve hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate the patient before discharge.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Accurately and promptly document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Conduct machine safety checks, monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, obtain prescribed laboratory tests, and prepare specimens for collection.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectants and organize supplies and equipment to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with self-care as applicable.
Participate in recruiting clinical staff; assist with clinical orientation, ongoing training, and staff development.
Serve as a preceptor for direct patient care training in accordance with state requirements, organizational standards, policies, and training materials.
Deliver and maintain competency evaluations and audits for other PCTs; collaborate with Clinical Managers and Education Coordinators on quality standards, regulatory requirements, CQI, and training programs.
Educate appropriate personnel about facility water-system integrity and safety and environmental integrity, including patient and staff safety, in partnership with RN and IDT staff.
Coordinate communication and training initiatives among Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, direct patient care staff, and support staff; participate in educational program design and implementation.
Monitor patient-care processes through CQI activities and incorporate organizational 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 machines for treatment, complete and document required pretreatment alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Complete and document participation in CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork; prepare lab requisitions and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to requirements.
Assist with facility quality assurance and infection control audits; reinforce infection control practices among staff, patients, and families under the direction of the Clinical Manager or designee.
Support infection control education, new-hire adherence, staff and patient engagement, visual reminders, and education responses to facility surveys.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce new-patient education, liaise with facility staff to coordinate care and appointments, 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, assist with transition to the patient’s selected modality, and support TCU supply ordering and inventory.