Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•San Gabriel, CA

12d•$25 - $33

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organizational policies, procedures, and training and applicable regulations. The role sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and supports the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and patient-satisfaction goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, initiating and discontinuing treatment, monitoring patients and equipment, documenting treatment information, responding to changes in patient condition, and collecting laboratory specimens. The technician also supports patient education and self-care, staff recruitment, orientation, training, competency evaluations, infection-control initiatives, and facility quality activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the role coordinates support and education for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis and helps patients understand treatment and modality options. The job includes desk and computer work, interaction with patients and care teams, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations; regional, business unit, or corporate meeting travel may be required. The work takes place in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care involves frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation. Equipment or coworkers may assist with heavier tasks. Employees may occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force, frequently lift or lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet. A two-person assist program and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), along with any applicable state licensure, education, and training.
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 is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting or lowering solutions as specified.
Must 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

Provide patient-specific education about dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access, as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, 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.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, and monitor patients’ responses to dialysis.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion; discontinue treatment according to established procedures; assess patients before ending venous access; obtain hemostasis and apply dressings; and evaluate patients before discharge.
Calculate and enter prescribed patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Accurately and promptly document treatment parameters, vital signs, assessments, interventions, and other required information in treatment sheets, progress notes, and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, unusual findings, and vascular-access concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Observe patients and conduct machine safety checks according to facility policy; monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist as applicable.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectants and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Participate in recruitment of new clinical staff and assist with clinical orientation, ongoing training, and facility-wide orientation.
Serve as a preceptor in direct patient-care training as allowed by state requirements and organizational standards; conduct ongoing competency evaluations and audits of other PCTs.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary team staff to deliver training, support quality standards, and promote regulatory compliance and Continuous Quality Improvement.
Educate appropriate personnel about facility water-system integrity and safety and environmental integrity, including patient and staff safety, as allowed by local regulations.
Support communication and the scheduling and implementation of staff training and organizational development programs; participate in or design educational programs for PCT staff.
Monitor patient-care processes through CQI activities and incorporate organizational business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical practices into training.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly facility areas; disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis equipment and conduct required pretreatment machine alarm testing, including Pressure Holding testing; initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Review treatment sheets for completeness and required nursing signatures, and ensure omissions or corrections are addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and admission paperwork, print lab requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with facility quality-assurance infection-control audits and monitor staff and patient adherence to infection-control practices under direction of the Clinical Manager or designee.
Reinforce infection-control practices with new hires, staff, patients, and families; participate in engagement and education activities and support responses to facility surveys.
Follow newly admitted Transitional Care Unit patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care information for new patients, liaise with facility staff to support the patient experience, and help ensure disciplines see patients according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, treatment options, and peritoneal dialysis setup; assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.