Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Lansing, MI

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 and in accordance with organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, supporting quality improvement activities, and helping patients achieve treatment and quality goals. The PCT provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patients and equipment, documenting treatment information, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The position also supports patient education, self-care, infection control, and the transition of newly admitted patients to dialysis care or a chosen modality. As a preceptor, the PCT assists with recruitment, clinical orientation, ongoing staff training, competency evaluations, and education initiatives. The role collaborates with clinical managers, education coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members to support regulatory compliance, continuous quality improvement, infection control, and organizational training standards. The work takes place in a health care facility and involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. It includes desk and computer work, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and regular heavy lifting or moving of patients and supplies. The employee may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases or materials.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Center for Medicaid/Medicare (CMS).
Any applicable state licensure, education, and training required for the role.
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 and CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions and supplies.
Ability to take 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.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access for patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform pre-treatment vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, monitor patient responses, and document interventions and outcomes.
Calculate and enter individual dialysis machine programming, including 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 vital signs, treatment parameters, treatment evaluations, and other required patient treatment information accurately and promptly.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with self-care as applicable.
Participate in recruitment of new 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 as permitted by applicable state guidelines and regulations.
Conduct ongoing competency evaluations and audits for other PCTs and provide developmental support to clinical and facility staff.
Collaborate with clinical managers and education coordinators to deliver training and support quality standards, regulatory compliance, and continuous quality improvement.
Educate appropriate personnel about facility water-system integrity and safety and environmental integrity, as allowed by local regulations.
Support communication and coordination among clinical managers, education coordinators, direct patient care staff, and support staff regarding training and development programs.
Participate in or help design educational programs for PCT staff and assist with scheduling and implementing training programs.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis equipment and conduct required pretreatment machine alarm tests, including Pressure Holding Test (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Complete and document participation in Continuous Quality Improvement activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure nursing signatures and omitted or corrected entries are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimen collection by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with facility infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices, monitor adherence under direction, and support related staff and patient education.
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 products and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, and assist with transitions to the patient's chosen modality.
Assist with supply ordering and inventory for the transitional care unit.