Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Diamondhead, MS

11d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) functions as part of the 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 involves setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting quality improvement activities intended to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The PCT performs patient-care tasks throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, obtaining and documenting vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patient responses, responding to treatment issues as directed, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting changes in condition to a nurse or supervisor. The position also supports patient education, self-care under RN supervision, and transition planning for newly admitted patients, including education about treatment options and home dialysis. As a preceptor, the PCT participates in clinical staff recruitment, orientation, training, competency evaluations, and ongoing development. The role collaborates with clinical managers, education coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members to support training, regulatory compliance, infection control, and continuous quality improvement. Additional duties include maintaining equipment and facility cleanliness, completing treatment and quality records, and supporting transitional care unit operations. The work includes desk and computer tasks as well as direct patient care in a health care facility. It requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations, with possible travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings. The environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Direct care regularly involves lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and handling equipment and solutions.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by CMS; applicable state licensure, education, and training are required.
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 assigned Fresenius and publicly offered skill-based training.
Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization's dialysis training program and CPR certification.
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 perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing, and bending.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet. Assistance devices or a two-person assist program are available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various community locations; 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

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and according to organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations.
Educate patients about adequacy measures, disease processes, vascular access, and treatment options as appropriate and within applicable state law.
Welcome patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or allowed by state law.
Obtain and document pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights; evaluate patients before, during, and after treatment.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ response to therapy, conduct machine safety checks, intervene as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Document treatment parameters, evaluations, interventions, patient responses, and other required information accurately and promptly.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of laboratory specimens according to requirements.
Prepare, organize, and efficiently use supplies and equipment to prevent waste.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist as applicable.
Participate in recruitment, clinical orientation, ongoing training, and development of clinical and facility staff.
Serve as a preceptor in direct patient-care training according to state guidelines, regulations, organizational standards, and training materials.
Conduct ongoing competency evaluations and audits for other PCTs.
Collaborate with clinical managers, education coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary staff on quality standards, regulatory and legal requirements, training, and continuous quality improvement.
Support education about facility water-system integrity, environmental integrity, patient and staff safety, and organizational policies and systems.
Monitor patient-care processes through CQI activities and complete documentation of CQI participation.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis equipment, complete required pretreatment alarm testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and appropriate nursing signatures; prepare initial patient charts and laboratory requisitions.
Support infection-control audits and practices, reinforce adherence among staff and patients, and participate in infection-control education and survey responses as directed.
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 visits by appropriate disciplines, and support understanding of home dialysis and treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit and assist with transition to the patient's selected modality.
Assist with transitional care unit supply ordering and inventory.