Patient Care Technician Preceptor - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Fort Wayne, IN

11d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician Preceptor functions as part of a dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including efforts to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient assessment, vascular access care, machine programming and operation, monitoring, interventions, documentation, specimen collection, and discharge evaluation. The preceptor also supports recruitment, orientation, training, and ongoing competency evaluation of clinical staff, and collaborates with clinical leaders and education staff to reinforce quality, regulatory, infection-control, and organizational standards. Additional duties include maintaining and disinfecting treatment areas and equipment, completing clinical records and laboratory paperwork, supporting infection-control audits and education, and coordinating care and education for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis in the Transitional Care Unit. The role may require travel between assigned facilities and community locations, as well as travel to regional, business-unit, or corporate meetings. The work takes place in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and handling equipment and solutions. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.

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 requirements.
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.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification.
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 involving frequent, 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 weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet. Assistance devices and a two-person assist program are available for heavier items.
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 about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Monitor patient responses and evaluate intradialytic problems; provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform pre-reinfusion checks and discontinue treatment according to established procedures, including evaluating the patient and achieving hemostasis with appropriate dressings.
Evaluate patients before discharge and document treatment evaluations, vital signs, weights, and relevant treatment information.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis-machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms are enabled, including Narrow Venous Limits (NVL) 160, and conduct machine safety checks.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor; document interventions and patient responses.
Monitor vascular access pressures during treatment, intervene as needed, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare specimens, and ensure their proper collection and handling.
Clean blood spills promptly with approved disinfectants and organize supplies and equipment to prevent waste.
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 in accordance with state guidelines, regulations, organizational standards, and training materials.
Conduct ongoing competency evaluations and audits of other patient care technicians.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers and Education Coordinators to promote quality standards, regulatory compliance, and continuous quality improvement through education.
Provide developmental support to applicable clinical and facility staff and assist with training programs under nurse supervision.
Partner with RN and interdisciplinary team staff to educate personnel about facility water-system integrity and safety, 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 concerning training and organizational development initiatives.
Participate in or help design educational programs for PCT staff and coordinate training schedules and implementation as directed.
Monitor patient-care processes through regular CQI activities and incorporate organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical practices into training.
Maintain a safe, clean, and aesthetically appropriate environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, document tasks as appropriate, perform required machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Document participation in CQI activities and enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify nursing signatures, and ensure omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, prepare laboratory requisitions, and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of laboratory samples.
Assist with facility quality-assurance infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices among staff and patients under the direction of the Clinical Manager or designee.
Reinforce infection-control practices for new hires and support ongoing staff and patient engagement through meetings, lobby days, and visual materials such as posters or flyers.
Participate in education responses to internal and external facility surveys under the direction of the Education Department.
Reinforce infection-control education for patients and families as directed and as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as allowed by state law and coordinate with facility staff to ensure disciplines see patients according to their care plans.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup and supporting transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.