Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Niles, MI

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 is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction initiatives. The PCT provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patient response, recording treatment information, responding to changes in patient status, and collecting laboratory specimens. The role also supports patient education, self-care, infection prevention, and the care transition of newly admitted patients. As a preceptor, the PCT assists with recruitment, orientation, training, and competency evaluations for clinical personnel. The role collaborates with clinical leadership and education staff to support organizational standards, regulatory compliance, continuous quality improvement, and staff development. Duties also include maintaining equipment and treatment areas, completing records, and supporting transitional care and modality education.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by CMS.
Any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
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.
Continued employment is dependent on successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation; frequent prolonged standing and bending; occasional pushing or pulling with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds as high as five feet. Assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when 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 flow and dialysate flow settings.
Monitor patients and evaluate intradialytic problems; provide interventions as prescribed or directed and document patient responses.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to procedure, assess patients before discharge, and obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled and perform machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, and other required information accurately and promptly; report significant information or changes in condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access and arterial and venous pressures during treatment; intervene as needed and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, clean blood spills promptly, and monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Participate in recruiting clinical staff; assist with clinical orientation and ongoing training of direct patient care personnel and facility staff.
Serve as a preceptor for direct patient care training, conduct ongoing competency evaluations and audits, and provide developmental support to clinical and facility staff.
Collaborate with clinical managers and education coordinators on training, quality standards, regulatory and legal requirements, continuous quality improvement, and organizational development programs.
Support staff education about facility water systems, environmental integrity, and patient and staff safety, as allowed by local regulations.
Participate in and monitor continuous quality improvement activities related to patient care and organizational policies.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatment, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm tests, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Enter treatment data into clinical applications, review treatment sheets for completeness, and prepare patient charts and laboratory requisitions.
Assist with facility infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices and policies, and support related education for staff, patients, and families under the direction of the Clinical Manager or designee.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education 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, assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality, and support supply ordering and inventory.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required.