Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Calhoun, GA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulatory requirements. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities aimed at improving patient satisfaction and care outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient assessment and education, vascular access care, treatment initiation and monitoring, documentation, laboratory specimen handling, and discharge evaluation. As a preceptor, the technician supports recruitment, clinical orientation, ongoing staff training, competency evaluations, and infection control practices. The role also supports transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients, helps educate patients about treatment and home dialysis options, and assists with coordination of care and supplies. Work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The environment is a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and handling equipment and dialysis solutions.

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 are required.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Attend and actively participate 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 physical demands of direct patient care, including lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and frequent handling of dialysis solutions and equipment.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and community locations.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, and perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood flow and dialysate flow settings.
Evaluate and respond to intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, monitor patient responses, and report significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures; obtain vital signs before reinfusion, evaluate patients before termination and discharge, achieve hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, assessments, interventions, and patient responses accurately and on time, including on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet and applicable progress notes.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy; evaluate vascular access and monitor arterial and venous pressures during treatment.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectants and organize supplies and equipment to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with self-care as applicable.
Participate in recruiting clinical staff; assist with orientation and ongoing training for direct patient care personnel and facility staff.
Serve as a preceptor in direct patient care training in accordance with state requirements, organizational standards, policies, and training manuals.
Conduct ongoing competency evaluations and audits for other PCTs and provide developmental support to clinical and facility staff.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, RNs, and interdisciplinary team staff on training, organizational development, regulatory education, quality standards, water-system safety, and environmental integrity.
Help schedule, implement, and potentially design educational programs for PCT staff; participate in CQI activities and monitor patient-care processes.
Incorporate organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices into training.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, perform and document required pretreatment machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete and document participation in CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly in the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare and print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with facility quality assurance and infection control audits; monitor and reinforce staff and patient adherence to infection control practices under the direction of the Clinical Manager or designee.
Reinforce infection control policies for new hires and support staff and patient engagement through meetings, lobby days, and visual materials; participate in infection-control education responses to 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, liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to their care plans.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with supply ordering and inventory.
Attend applicable preceptor training and assigned Fresenius or publicly offered skill-based training.