Patient Care Technician - Preceptor-PCT Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Youngstown, OH

14d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (Preceptor-PCT Dialysis) 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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. It includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality-enhancement and continuous quality-improvement activities focused on patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes. The technician provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient assessment, vascular access care, treatment initiation and discontinuation, monitoring and documentation, specimen collection, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes educating patients and colleagues within applicable regulations, preparing and maintaining equipment and treatment areas, and completing clinical records. As a preceptor, the technician supports recruitment, orientation, training, and competency evaluation of clinical staff. The position collaborates with clinical managers, education coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members to deliver training, reinforce quality and infection-control standards, and support continuous quality improvement. In the Transitional Care Unit, the technician follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, helps coordinate transitional care and education, supports understanding of treatment and home-dialysis options, and assists with modality transitions, machine treatments, and supply inventory. The position involves work in a health care facility, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, business unit, or corporate meetings may also be required. Work includes frequent, prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and lifting solutions and equipment. Exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials is possible. Employees must take an 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.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting solutions 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 setting or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational procedures and applicable regulations.
Educate patients, as appropriate, about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
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, including required patient identification and vascular-access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ response to therapy, assess intradialytic problems, provide prescribed interventions, document patient responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge and before termination of venous access.
Perform machine safety checks and monitor vascular access pressures during treatment; document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectants and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with self-care as applicable.
Participate in recruitment of clinical staff and assist with orientation and ongoing training of direct patient care personnel and facility staff.
Serve as a preceptor in direct patient care training in accordance with state guidelines, organizational standards, and training materials.
Conduct ongoing competency evaluations and audits for other PCTs and support staff development.
Collaborate with clinical managers and education coordinators to promote quality standards, regulatory compliance, continuous quality improvement, and training programs.
Educate appropriate personnel, alongside RN and interdisciplinary team staff, about water-system integrity, environmental integrity, and facility safety as permitted by local regulations.
Support communication and coordination of training and organizational development programs among facility clinical and support staff.
Monitor patient-care delivery through CQI activities and incorporate organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices into training.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly treatment areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm tests, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omissions or corrections with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with facility infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control practices among staff, patients, and families under the direction of the clinical manager or designee.
Support infection-control education, new-hire adherence, staff and patient engagement, and responses to internal and external facility surveys.
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 appropriate staff visits, and support patient understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and help manage TCU supplies and inventory.