Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care • Pikesville, MD

10d

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, supporting quality improvement activities, and helping patients and staff meet organizational quality standards.

The PCT provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, taking and documenting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patient response, responding to problems, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also supports patients performing self-care and provides patient education as allowed by state law.

As a preceptor, the PCT assists with recruitment, clinical orientation, staff training, competency evaluations, infection-control education, and ongoing development of clinical and facility personnel. The position collaborates with clinical managers, education coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members to support training, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and safe facility operations.

In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, coordinates their transitional care and education, helps patients understand treatment and home dialysis options, and supports transition to their selected modality. The role also assists with treatment setup, supply ordering, and inventory.

The work takes place in a health care facility and includes interaction with patients, staff, and physicians. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, business unit, or corporate meetings may also be required. Employees may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care includes frequent and prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation. The role may require lifting solutions weighing up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, as high as five feet; equipment, coworkers, and material-assist devices may be used.

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 required for the role.
• Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
• Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
• Attendance and active participation in applicable preceptor training programs established by education leadership.
• Attend Fresenius and publicly offered skill-based training as assigned by the Clinical Manager.
• Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation.
• Ability to lift and lower solutions frequently up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds, as high as five feet; assistance and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.
• Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically 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 safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
• Set up, operate, test, and clean hemodialysis machines and related equipment; prepare for treatments and perform required machine alarm testing.
• Welcome patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
• Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
• Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, vascular access assessments, treatment parameters, and patient evaluations.
• Initiate and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, including setting blood and dialysate flow and documenting treatment.
• Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling as prescribed; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
• Monitor patients’ response to treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
• Monitor vascular access and arterial and venous pressures during treatment, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
• Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
• Maintain accurate, timely treatment documentation; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on omitted or corrected entries with appropriate staff.
• Prepare initial patient charts and laboratory requisitions, and enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
• Clean blood spills promptly and maintain safe, clean, and orderly treatment areas while organizing and using 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 clinical orientation and ongoing training of direct patient care personnel and facility staff.
• Serve as a preceptor for direct patient care training in accordance with state guidelines, organizational standards, policies, and training manuals.
• Conduct ongoing competency evaluations and audits for other PCTs and provide developmental support to applicable clinical and facility staff.
• Collaborate with clinical managers, education coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members on training, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
• Support education about facility water-system integrity, environmental integrity, and patient and staff safety as allowed by local regulations.
• Help coordinate and implement training programs, educational initiatives, and team-based programs for PCT staff.
• Participate in and document CQI activities and support patient satisfaction and organizational quality goals.
• Assist with infection-control audits and reinforce infection-control policies and practices among staff, patients, and families under the direction of the clinical manager or designee.
• Participate in education responses to internal and external facility surveys under the direction of the Education Department.
• Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate their transitional dialysis care.
• Reinforce education for new patients, coordinate appropriate staff visits, explain home dialysis products and treatment options, and assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
• Demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as applicable, perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, and assist with supply ordering and inventory.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Potential performance-based bonuses for bonus-eligible positions, depending on company and individual performance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED