Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Jacksonville, FL

14d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe, effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role includes preparing and operating hemodialysis machines, assisting with a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities. The PCT provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatment, including assessing vascular access, obtaining vital signs and weights, initiating and discontinuing treatment according to prescribed orders and facility procedures, monitoring patient responses, documenting treatment information, and reporting changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor. The role also includes patient education, specimen collection, supply and equipment preparation, and support for patients performing self-care under RN supervision. As a preceptor, the PCT assists with clinical orientation and ongoing training, supports competency evaluations, and collaborates with clinical managers and education coordinators on training and quality standards. Additional responsibilities include maintaining infection-control practices, environmental and equipment cleanliness, accurate clinical records, and transitional care coordination for newly admitted dialysis patients. The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility and may require travel between assigned facilities and community locations, as well as travel to meetings. The work environment may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Physical demands include frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and lifting solutions and equipment. Reasonable accommodation may be available for essential functions. Employees must take an Ishihara color blindness test; failure does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid PCT national certification or state-specific certification as defined by CMS, along with 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’s dialysis training program and CPR certification is required for continued employment.
Ability to perform the described essential functions, including frequent prolonged standing and bending; assisting with patient lifting, movement, and ambulation; and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

At least five years of patient care experience in a hospital or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist health care team members with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access.
Welcome patients and inquire about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin when delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs, weights, and vascular access evaluations.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, intervene as prescribed or directed, monitor patient responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Calculate and enter patient-specific dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure appropriate safety alarms are enabled.
Accurately document treatment parameters, patient evaluations, interventions, and related information in treatment sheets, progress notes, and clinical applications.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Prepare and efficiently use supplies and equipment, clean blood spills, and maintain a safe and clean work environment.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision and assist them as applicable.
Participate in recruiting clinical staff and assist with orientation, ongoing training, and development of facility personnel.
Serve as a preceptor in direct patient care training in accordance with applicable state guidelines, regulations, and organizational standards.
Deliver and maintain competency evaluations and audits for other PCTs.
Collaborate with clinical managers, education coordinators, RNs, and interdisciplinary team members on training, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and CQI activities.
Educate appropriate personnel on water-system integrity, environmental integrity, facility safety, and organizational training programs as allowed by local regulations.
Support scheduling and implementation of training programs and monitor patient-care processes through CQI activities.
Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics; 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 Test (PHT); initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures are documented, and coordinate completion or correction of omitted entries by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, print laboratory requisitions, and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate courier.
Assist with facility infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control policies and practices among staff and patients, and participate in related education and survey responses as directed.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education for new patients, liaise with facility staff to coordinate services, and support patient understanding of home dialysis products and treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis setup demonstrations.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the transitional care unit, assist with transition to the patient’s chosen modality, and help coordinate TCU supplies and inventory.