Patient Care Technician Preceptor - PCT - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Las Vegas, NV

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) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities. The position provides direct patient care before, during, and after dialysis treatments, including assessing vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patient response, documenting treatment information, and reporting changes in patient condition. It also serves as a preceptor for direct patient care training, supports staff orientation and competency evaluations, and helps promote quality standards and infection control practices. Additional responsibilities include maintaining dialysis equipment and the treatment environment, handling patient records and laboratory specimens, and coordinating care and education for newly admitted patients in the Transitional Care Unit. The work takes place in a health care facility and includes desk and computer work, interaction with patients and care teams, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and potential exposure to infectious materials. Direct care regularly involves lifting and moving patients, prolonged standing, bending, and handling supplies and equipment.

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.
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 meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including regularly lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, standing for prolonged periods, and bending.
Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds as high as five feet; may occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force.
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.

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 adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their prior 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, weights, and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Monitor patients’ responses to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure appropriate machine safety alarms are enabled and conduct machine safety checks.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and in a timely manner.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier pickup of specimens.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment to prevent waste; clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Monitor and assist patients performing self-care under RN supervision, as applicable.
Participate in recruiting clinical staff and support clinical orientation and ongoing staff training.
Function as a preceptor for direct patient care training according to state guidelines, regulations, and organizational standards.
Conduct ongoing competency evaluations and audits of other PCTs.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, RNs, and interdisciplinary team staff on education, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and training programs.
Support communication and implementation of training and organizational development programs.
Participate in CQI activities and monitor patient care processes.
Maintain a safe, clean environment and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis machines and conduct required pretreatment alarm tests, including Pressure Holding Tests; initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Enter treatment data in the designated clinical application and review treatment sheets for completeness and required signatures.
Prepare initial patient charts and lab requisitions, and ensure omitted chart entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Assist with facility infection control audits, reinforce infection control practices, and support staff and patient education under direction of the Clinical Manager or designee.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, help them understand home dialysis and treatment options, and assist with modality transitions.
Coordinate appointments with appropriate staff, perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.