Patient Care Technician - PCT - Dialysis Preceptor

Fresenius Medical Care•Lansing, MI

11d

About The Position

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The position is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The role provides direct patient care before, during, and after dialysis treatments; records treatment data; assists with laboratory specimen handling; and reports changes in patient condition to a registered nurse or supervisor. As a preceptor, the technician supports recruitment, clinical orientation, staff training, competency evaluations, and ongoing development of patient-care personnel. The position also supports infection-control practices, facility quality activities, and transitional care for newly admitted dialysis patients, including education about treatment and modality options. Work takes place in a health care facility and includes desk and computer work, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. The employee may be exposed to infectious materials and must be able to perform frequent standing, bending, patient lifting and movement, and lifting dialysis solutions and equipment, with assistance or devices available for heavier items.

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 organizational culture, values, and customer-service standards.
Attendance and active participation in applicable preceptor training programs.
Successful completion of the organization’s 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 meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient lifting and ambulation, and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds occasionally.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and community locations; 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

Provide patient-specific education on dialysis adequacy measures, disease processes, and vascular access as appropriate.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their previous treatment.
Assess vascular access, perform cannulation, and administer heparin as 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 treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Assess patients’ responses to dialysis, address intradialytic problems as prescribed or directed, and report significant changes or unusual findings to a registered nurse or supervisor.
Calculate and enter dialysis machine programming for ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and ultrafiltration modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Document treatment parameters, patient assessments, interventions, and responses accurately and in a timely manner.
Monitor patients performing self-care under registered nurse supervision and assist them as applicable.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory specifications.
Clean blood spills promptly and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
Participate in clinical staff recruitment, orientation, training, and development; serve as a preceptor in accordance with applicable state guidelines and organizational standards.
Deliver and maintain competency evaluations and audits for other patient care technicians.
Collaborate with clinical managers, education coordinators, registered nurses, and interdisciplinary team staff on training, regulatory education, quality standards, and facility safety.
Support education about water-system integrity, environmental safety, infection control, and organizational policies and procedures.
Participate in CQI activities and monitor patient-care processes.
Maintain a safe and clean environment; disinfect machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare dialysis equipment, perform required machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding Testing, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Enter treatment data into the designated clinical application; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure missing or omitted information is addressed by appropriate staff.
Prepare patient charts and laboratory requisitions and ensure specimens are collected by the appropriate laboratory courier.
Assist with facility infection-control audits, reinforce infection-control practices among staff and patients, and participate in infection-control education and survey responses as directed.
Coordinate transitional dialysis care for newly admitted patients during their first four weeks, reinforce education, help coordinate care-team appointments, and support patient understanding of home dialysis and treatment options.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit, assist with demonstrations of peritoneal dialysis setup, support transitions to patients’ chosen modalities, and help manage TCU supplies and inventory.