Patient Care Technician Preceptor - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Spokane, WA

13d•$19 - $30•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 operates hemodialysis machines, maintains a safe and clean treatment environment, and supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. The preceptor also supports patient education and staff development, including clinical orientation, training, competency evaluations, and infection-control practices. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient assessment, vascular-access care, treatment setup and monitoring, documentation, specimen collection, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. It also supports transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients, including education about treatment options and coordination of care during their first four weeks of dialysis. The work takes place in a health care facility and involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. The role requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required. The employee may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. The job includes frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and lifting solutions and equipment. Assistance, equipment, and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by CMS; all applicable state licensure, education, and training are required.
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 dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to perform direct patient care tasks involving frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation; lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally; and occasional pushing or pulling with up to 15 pounds of force.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure 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

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Provide or support patient-specific education about adequacy measures, the disease process, and vascular access.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs, weights, evaluations, and treatment parameters.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine settings, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Identify and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient responses, document interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of laboratory specimens.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist as applicable.
Participate in recruitment of new clinical staff and support orientation, ongoing training, and development of direct patient care and facility personnel.
Serve as a preceptor in direct patient care training in accordance with state guidelines, organization policies, and training standards.
Conduct ongoing competency evaluations and audits for other PCTs.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, RNs, and interdisciplinary staff on quality standards, regulatory and legal requirements, continuous quality improvement, training, and staff education.
Support communication and educational programs related to facility water systems, environmental integrity, safety, and organizational development.
Maintain safe and clean treatment areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis equipment, conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete and document participation in CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and review treatment sheets for completeness and corrections.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork and prepare laboratory requisitions as needed.
Assist with infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control policies and practices, and support related education for staff, patients, and families as directed.
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 appointments with appropriate staff, and support understanding of home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations, and coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.