Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Calhoun, GA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) - Dialysis Preceptor works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and continuous quality improvement activities. The PCT provides direct patient care, documents treatment and patient information, and reports significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor. The position also serves as a preceptor and supports clinical staff recruitment, orientation, training, competency evaluations, and ongoing development. In collaboration with clinical leaders and education staff, the PCT helps deliver organizational quality, regulatory, infection-control, and continuous-improvement standards. Additional duties include maintaining dialysis equipment and the treatment environment; preparing and documenting treatments; handling laboratory specimens and records; supporting infection-control audits and education; and assisting with the care and transition of newly admitted patients in the Transitional Care Unit, including education about treatment options and home dialysis. The work involves direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Physical demands include frequent standing and lifting, moving or assisting patients, bending, and occasionally pushing or pulling equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (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.
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing; bending; heavy lifting and moving patients; assisting with ambulation; frequent lifting and lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; occasional lifting up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet; and occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force. 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

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines and perform machine safety checks and required alarm testing.
Welcome assigned patients; assess wellbeing; evaluate vascular access; obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights; and perform access cannulation and delegated heparin administration as permitted.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures; respond to intradialytic problems as directed; and evaluate patients before discharge.
Program the dialysis machine for prescribed ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled; and document treatment parameters and patient responses accurately and promptly.
Monitor patients during treatment, assess vascular access and pressure readings, identify changes or unusual findings, intervene as directed, document interventions, and report relevant information to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently, clean blood spills according to policy, and clean and disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and treatment areas between patients.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with self-care as applicable.
Participate in recruitment of clinical staff; assist with orientation, training, and ongoing competency evaluations for patient care personnel and other facility staff.
Serve as a preceptor for direct patient care training in accordance with applicable state guidelines and organizational clinical training standards.
Collaborate with clinical managers and education coordinators to support quality standards, regulatory and legal requirements, continuous quality improvement, staff development, and training programs.
Educate appropriate personnel about facility water-system integrity and environmental and patient safety in partnership with RN and interdisciplinary team staff, as permitted by local regulations.
Support communication and implementation of staff education and organizational development programs; participate in or help design educational programs for PCT staff.
Participate in continuous quality improvement activities and monitor processes involved in patient care delivery.
Complete treatment records and enter treatment data into designated clinical applications; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure appropriate corrections or omitted entries are addressed.
Prepare patient charts and laboratory requisitions, and coordinate the collection of laboratory specimens.
Assist with facility infection-control audits; reinforce infection-control practices among staff, patients, and families under the direction of the clinical manager or designee; and participate in infection-control education and survey responses.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care, education, scheduling, treatment, and transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Support patient understanding of home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, and assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly clinical environment.