Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Big Rapids, MI

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) – Dialysis Preceptor is part of the dialysis health care team and provides safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities to help achieve patient-care goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including evaluating vascular access, cannulation, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatments, monitoring patient responses, addressing treatment issues as directed, documenting care, and reporting changes in condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. The technician also collects laboratory specimens, monitors safety procedures, and assists patients performing self-care under RN supervision. As a preceptor, the PCT supports recruitment, clinical orientation, training, and ongoing competency evaluation of clinical staff. The role collaborates with clinical managers, education coordinators, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members on education, quality standards, infection control, facility safety, and training programs. Additional responsibilities include maintaining and disinfecting equipment and treatment areas, completing clinical records, supporting infection-control audits and education, and coordinating transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations and may involve travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings. The work takes place in a health care facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials, frequent standing and bending, and regular lifting and moving of patients and supplies.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by CMS, along with any applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
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 dialysis training program and 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 travel between assigned facilities and various community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending; regular heavy lifting and moving of patients and assistance with ambulation; occasional pushing or pulling of equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequent lifting or lowering of solutions up to 30 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds to a height of five feet. Assistance and material-handling devices are available for heavier items.

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 regarding dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Evaluate vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access evaluations.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood-flow and dialysate-flow settings.
Evaluate intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed or directed; monitor and document patient responses.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, evaluate patients before termination and discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Maintain accurate and timely treatment documentation, including treatment sheets, progress notes when applicable, vital signs, and treatment parameters.
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.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, 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 patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist with self-care as applicable.
Participate in recruiting clinical staff; assist with clinical orientation, ongoing training, and facility staff orientation.
Serve as a preceptor in direct patient care training in accordance with applicable state guidelines, regulations, organization standards, and policies.
Deliver and maintain competency evaluations and audits for other PCTs, and provide developmental support to clinical and facility staff.
Collaborate with clinical managers and education coordinators on quality standards, regulatory and legal requirements, continuous quality improvement, training schedules, and education programs.
Partner with RN and interdisciplinary team staff to educate personnel on water-system integrity, facility environmental integrity, patient and staff safety, and organizational training initiatives.
Monitor patient-care processes through regular CQI activities and incorporate business policies, procedures, systems, and ethical practices into training.
Maintain safe, clean, and aesthetically appropriate facility areas; clean and 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.
Complete and document participation in CQI activities; enter treatment data into the designated clinical application.
Review treatment sheets for completeness, confirm nursing signatures, and ensure omitted entries are completed or corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, prepare or print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimen collection by the appropriate courier.
Assist with facility infection-control audits; reinforce infection-control policies and practices among staff, patients, and families under the direction of the Clinical Manager or designee.
Support infection-control engagement and education through staff meetings, patient lobby activities, visual materials, and responses to facility surveys as directed.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as permitted by state law; coordinate with facility staff to support the patient experience and scheduled care plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, benefits, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit; help coordinate transitions to the patient’s chosen modality and assist with TCU supplies and inventory.