Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Syracuse, NY

6d•$18 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) - Dialysis Preceptor works 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, training, and applicable regulations. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting quality improvement and patient satisfaction goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including evaluating vascular access, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patient responses, documenting treatment information, collecting laboratory specimens, and reporting changes in patient condition. The PCT also supports patients performing self-care under RN supervision. As a preceptor, the PCT assists with 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 organizational quality, regulatory compliance, infection control, and staff education. Additional duties include maintaining dialysis equipment and facility cleanliness; completing treatment and patient records; supporting infection-control audits and practices; and assisting with transitional care for newly admitted dialysis patients, including education about treatment options and coordination of their transition to a chosen modality. The position involves work in a healthcare facility, direct patient care, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and possible travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
All 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.
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 direct patient care involving heavy lifting and patient movement, assist with ambulation, stand for prolonged periods, and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment using 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.
Employees must 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 travel between assigned facilities and 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 previous treatment.
Evaluate 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 during treatment, evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, and report significant changes to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures; obtain vital signs before reinfusion; assess patients before ending venous access; achieve hemostasis and apply dressings; and evaluate patients before discharge.
Calculate and enter prescribed machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, vital signs, weights, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly.
Monitor patients' vascular access and treatment pressures, intervene as appropriate, and document and report unusual findings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and organize supplies and equipment efficiently, prevent wastage, and clean blood spills according to facility policy.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist them as applicable.
Participate in recruiting clinical staff; assist with clinical orientation, ongoing training, and staff development; and serve as a preceptor in direct patient-care training according to applicable guidelines.
Conduct ongoing competency evaluations and audits for other PCTs and collaborate with clinical managers and education coordinators on quality, regulatory, and training standards.
Educate appropriate personnel with RN and interdisciplinary team staff about facility water-system integrity, environmental integrity, and safety as allowed by local regulations.
Support communication and coordination concerning training and organizational development programs; help implement or design educational programs; and monitor care processes through CQI activities.
Maintain safe, clean, and orderly facility areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis machines and perform required pretreatment alarm tests, including Pressure Holding Tests; initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Enter treatment information into the designated clinical application, 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 and print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with facility infection-control audits, monitor adherence to infection-control practices under the direction of the clinical manager or designee, and reinforce infection-control education and procedures for staff, patients, and families as permitted by state law.
Support infection-control education and responses to internal and external facility surveys under the direction of the clinical manager or education department.
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 help patients understand home dialysis products, home-dialysis benefits, and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as appropriate, assist with transition to the patient's chosen modality, and help coordinate TCU supplies and inventory.