Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Eureka, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, documenting treatments, supporting quality improvement activities, and helping patients understand their care and treatment options. The PCT also serves as a preceptor, supporting clinical staff orientation, training, and competency evaluations. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including taking vital signs and weights, evaluating and cannulating vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patient response, responding to problems as directed, collecting laboratory specimens, and documenting treatment details. The role also supports infection control, equipment maintenance, continuous quality improvement, and transitional care for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis. The work is performed in a health care facility and involves interaction with patients, staff, and physicians, as well as travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The role may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care includes frequent standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and equipment. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing it does not preclude employment if reasonable accommodation can be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Center for Medicaid/Medicare (CMS).
Any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the position.
Demonstrated 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's dialysis training program and CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting and 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; a failed test does not preclude employment if reasonable accommodation can be considered.

Nice To Haves

At least five years of patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Set up, operate, and perform required safety checks on hemodialysis machines, including pretreatment alarm testing and pressure holding testing.
Welcome patients, assess their wellbeing, obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access.
Cannulate vascular access and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures; monitor patient response and address intradialytic problems as directed.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling, and ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly; report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens, and prepare laboratory requisitions.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between treatments and promptly clean blood spills according to policy.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with self-care as applicable.
Participate in recruitment of clinical staff and assist with staff orientation, ongoing training, competency evaluations, and audits.
Serve as a preceptor in direct patient care training in accordance with state guidelines, regulations, organizational standards, and policies.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, RNs, and interdisciplinary team members on training, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and continuous quality improvement.
Educate appropriate staff about facility water systems, environmental integrity, patient and staff safety, infection control, and organizational training programs as permitted by local regulations.
Participate in CQI activities and infection control audits; reinforce infection control practices among staff, patients, and families under the direction of the Clinical Manager or designee.
Support newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, coordinate transitional care and appointments, reinforce education, and help patients understand treatment and home dialysis options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations, coordinate transitions to the patient's chosen modality, and assist with TCU supplies and inventory.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, verify required nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and compile paperwork for filing.
Initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS) and complete related preparation and documentation tasks.