Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Canton, MS

11d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as part of a dialysis health care team and provides safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable state and federal regulations. The technician sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities intended to support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient education support, access evaluation and cannulation, vital signs and weight measurement, treatment initiation and discontinuation, monitoring and documentation, specimen collection, and reporting changes in patient condition. As a preceptor, the technician supports clinical staff recruitment, orientation, training, competency evaluations, infection control education, and organizational quality standards. The role also supports the Transitional Care Unit by coordinating aspects of newly admitted patients’ first four weeks of dialysis, reinforcing education, supporting discussion of home dialysis and treatment options, helping coordinate modality transitions, and assisting with equipment and supply needs. Work takes place in a health care facility and includes interaction with patients, staff, and physicians; travel between assigned facilities and community locations may be required.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid Patient Care Technician national certification or state-specific certification as defined by CMS.
All applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
Commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Attendance and active participation in applicable preceptor training programs established by education leadership.
Attendance at assigned Fresenius and publicly offered skill-based training.
Successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient lifting and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions weighing up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.
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 or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Support patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous 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, weights, and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Monitor patient response to dialysis, assess and report unusual findings or changes in condition, and provide and document interventions as directed.
Program dialysis machines for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment times, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment, and clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Observe patients performing self-care and assist them as applicable under RN supervision.
Participate in recruiting clinical staff and assist with orientation and ongoing training of direct patient care and facility personnel.
Serve as a preceptor for direct patient care training in accordance with state guidelines, regulations, organizational standards, and policies.
Conduct ongoing competency evaluations and audits for other Patient Care Technicians.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, RNs, and interdisciplinary team staff on training, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and continuous quality improvement.
Support education about facility water systems, environmental integrity, patient and staff safety, and organizational policies and procedures.
Help schedule and implement training programs and monitor patient-care processes through CQI activities.
Maintain safe and clean facility conditions; disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis equipment, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete CQI documentation, enter treatment data, review treatment sheets for completeness, and ensure required corrections or omitted entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare patient charts and laboratory requisitions and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with facility infection control audits, monitor adherence to infection control practices under direction, and reinforce infection control education and procedures for staff, patients, and families.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and help coordinate transitional dialysis care and planned visits from relevant staff.
Reinforce education for new patients, support understanding of home dialysis products and treatment options, and assist with peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with modality transitions, and help manage TCU supplies and inventory.