Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Canton, MS

10d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) functions as part of the 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 involves setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, supporting quality improvement activities, and helping patients achieve organizational quality goals. The PCT provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patients and equipment, documenting treatment information, responding to changes in patient condition, and collecting laboratory specimens. The role also supports patient education, self-care, infection control, staff training and competency, continuous quality improvement, and the coordination of care for newly admitted patients in the Transitional Care Unit. This position involves working in a health care facility and direct interaction with patients, staff, and physicians. It requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and handling solutions and equipment. Employees may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. An Ishihara color blindness test is required 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 CMS.
All applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Attendance and active participation in applicable preceptor training programs established by education leadership.
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 role’s physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various community locations.
Completion of the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failure 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.
Attendance at Fresenius and publicly offered skill-based training as assigned by the Clinical Manager.

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members in providing patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and record pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow rates, and calculate and enter prescribed machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Perform and document treatment discontinuation procedures, including vital signs before reinfusion, standing and sitting blood pressure as applicable, hemostasis, dressings, and evaluation before discharge.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled, perform machine safety checks, and report unusual findings or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Record accurate and timely vital signs, treatment parameters, interventions, patient responses, and other required information in treatment records and clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectants and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist them as applicable.
Participate in recruitment, clinical orientation, ongoing training, preceptor activities, and competency evaluations or audits for direct patient care staff.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers and Education Coordinators on staff education, regulatory and legal requirements, continuous quality improvement, training schedules, and organizational development initiatives.
Educate appropriate personnel, in partnership with RN and IDT staff, about facility water systems and environmental integrity, as permitted by local regulations.
Support communication among Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, direct patient care staff, and support staff about training and development programs.
Participate in CQI activities and monitor patient care processes.
Maintain safe and clean facility areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatment areas, perform required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and required nursing signatures; ensure omissions are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with facility quality assurance and infection control audits; reinforce infection control practices with staff, patients, and families under designated supervision.
Participate in infection control education and responses to internal and external facility surveys as directed.
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 appointments with appropriate staff, and support patient understanding of home dialysis products and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as applicable, and assist with coordinating transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.