Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Big Rapids, MI

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) functions as part of a 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 includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and patient-satisfaction efforts. The PCT provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing patients and vascular access, initiating and discontinuing prescribed treatments, monitoring patient response, documenting treatment information, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting changes in condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also supports patient education and self-care, and helps patients understand treatment options and transitions to home dialysis where applicable. As a preceptor, the PCT supports recruitment, orientation, training, and competency evaluation of clinical staff. The position collaborates with clinical managers, education coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members on staff development, quality standards, infection control, and facility training initiatives. Additional duties include maintaining treatment equipment and the facility environment, completing records, supporting infection-control audits, and coordinating care for newly admitted patients in the Transitional Care Unit. The work involves interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians in a health care facility. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings may also be required. The role may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and occasional pushing or pulling equipment. Employees may need to lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, as high as five feet; assistance devices or coworkers are available for heavier items. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment, though failing it does not preclude employment and reasonable accommodation may be considered.

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 position.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
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.
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 take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, assisting with ambulation, and lifting or lowering solutions.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various locations in the community; travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings may be required.

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, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and evaluate vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Monitor patients’ responses to dialysis, assess intradialytic problems, and intervene as prescribed or directed.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures; obtain relevant vital signs, assess patients before discharge, and achieve hemostasis and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis-machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and responses accurately and promptly; report significant information or changes in condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests, prepare and store specimens according to laboratory specifications, and ensure collection by the appropriate courier.
Prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently; immediately clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectants.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with self-care as applicable.
Participate in recruiting clinical staff; assist with orientation, ongoing training, and staff development.
Serve as a preceptor for direct patient care training in accordance with applicable state guidelines, regulations, organizational standards, and policies.
Deliver and maintain competency evaluations and audits for other PCTs.
Collaborate with clinical managers and education coordinators to support quality standards, regulatory and legal requirements, continuous quality improvement, and training programs.
Educate appropriate personnel on facility water-system integrity and safety, environmental integrity, and patient and staff safety, in partnership with RN and interdisciplinary team staff and as allowed by local regulations.
Support communication and scheduling of training and organizational development programs; participate in and potentially design educational programs for PCT staff.
Monitor patient-care delivery through CQI activities and incorporate organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical practices into training.
Maintain a safe, clean facility environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, complete required pretreatment machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Tests, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Complete and document CQI participation; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and promptly.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
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 practices with new hires, patients, and staff through education, meetings, patient lobby days, and visual media; participate in education responses to facility surveys under the Education Department’s direction.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients as allowed by state law, coordinate appointments with appropriate facility staff, and support patient understanding of home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit; assist with demonstrations of peritoneal dialysis setup and coordination of transitions to patients’ chosen modalities.
Assist with supply ordering and inventory for the Transitional Care Unit.