Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Pikesville, MD

12d•$19 - $30

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) 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 follows organizational policies, procedures, and training requirements, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT 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 (CQI) activities to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including patient education, vascular access assessment and cannulation, treatment initiation and monitoring, vital-sign and weight measurements, documentation, specimen collection, and reporting changes in patient condition. The PCT also serves as a preceptor, supports recruitment and staff orientation, delivers and evaluates staff training, and reinforces quality, safety, and infection-control practices. Additional duties include maintaining dialysis equipment and treatment areas, preparing and documenting treatments, supporting facility audits and CQI activities, and helping newly admitted patients navigate their first four weeks of dialysis and understand treatment and modality options. The work includes interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians; travel between assigned facilities and community locations; and direct patient care involving lifting and moving patients and supplies. The employee may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The role requires passing an Ishihara color-vision test as a condition of employment, though failing the test does not automatically preclude employment and reasonable accommodation may be considered. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid PCT national or state-specific certification as defined by CMS. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification. Five years of patient-care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred. Hourly pay is $19.00–$30.00, depending on work location and qualifications. The benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, parental leave, and, for bonus-eligible positions, potential performance-based bonuses.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Successful completion of the organization’s dialysis training program is required for continued employment.
Successful completion of CPR certification is required for continued employment.
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.
Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
Ability to meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient ambulation, and regularly lifting or moving patients and supplies; solutions may weigh up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally, and equipment may require pushing or pulling with up to 15 pounds of force.
Employees must take the Ishihara color-blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not automatically 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 safe dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and according to applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Assist with patient education about adequacy measures, disease processes, vascular access, and treatment options as appropriate and allowed by state law.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access during treatment.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, including required assessments before treatment, before reinfusion, and before discharge.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures, including setting blood-flow and dialysate-flow parameters.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients’ responses to therapy, evaluate intradialytic problems, perform prescribed or directed interventions, document responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Perform hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, and assess patients before discharge and before termination of venous access.
Conduct machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding Testing (PHT).
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly using appropriate disinfectants and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor and assist patients performing self-care under RN supervision, as applicable.
Participate in recruitment of new clinical staff and assist with clinical orientation and ongoing training of direct patient care personnel and facility staff.
Serve as a preceptor in direct patient care training as permitted by applicable state guidelines; conduct competency evaluations and audits of other PCTs.
Collaborate with Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, RNs, and interdisciplinary team staff to deliver training, support organizational quality standards, and promote CQI.
Educate appropriate personnel, with RN and interdisciplinary team staff, about facility water-system integrity and environmental safety as allowed by local regulations.
Support communication and coordination about training and organizational development programs, and participate in implementing or designing educational programs for PCT staff.
Monitor patient-care processes through CQI activities and incorporate organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices into training.
Maintain a safe, clean facility environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis treatments, document preparation tasks, and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Enter treatment data accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing entries are completed or corrected 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 and infection-control audits; monitor and reinforce staff and patient compliance with infection-control procedures.
Support infection-control education and engagement for staff, patients, and families, including through new-hire reinforcement, meetings, patient-lobby activities, and visual materials.
Participate in education responses to internal and external facility surveys as directed by the 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, help ensure appropriate disciplines see patients according to their plans, and support understanding of home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup as applicable, help coordinate transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, and assist with TCU supply ordering and inventory.