Patient Care Technician Preceptor - PCT - Dialysis

About the Role

Functions as part of the dialysis health care team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. Responsibilities include setup and operation of hemodialysis machines, maintenance of a safe and clean working environment, and active participation in process improvement activities to enhance patient care and achieve organizational Quality Enhancement Goals (QEP).

Responsibilities

• Patient Related Education:
  • Assist in providing patient-specific education on adequacy measures (e.g., Online Clearance Monitoring, Adequacy Monitoring Program, Urea Kinetic Modeling) and disease process/access.
• Treatment:
  • Welcome patients, evaluate their well-being, and assess vascular access for patency.
  • Perform vascular access cannulation and administer heparin as delegated or allowed by state law.
  • Obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight; evaluate vascular access pre-treatment.
  • Initiate dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders (e.g., blood flow, dialysate flow).
  • Monitor intradialytic problems, intervene as prescribed, and evaluate patient response to therapy.
  • Obtain vital signs prior to reinfusion; discontinue treatment and evaluate venous access.
  • Calculate and program dialysis machine settings (e.g., Ultrafiltration goal, treatment time, UF modeling).
  • Ensure safety alarms (e.g., Narrow Venous Limits) are enabled.
  • Record accurate and timely treatment information, including vital signs and parameters, on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet.
  • Document patient treatment details, complete progress notes, and report changes in patient condition to the registered nurse or supervisor.
  • Conduct machine safety checks, observe patients, and document interventions for unusual patient status.
  • Evaluate vascular access during treatment, monitor pressures, and report unusual findings.
  • Obtain prescribed laboratory testing, prepare specimens, and ensure immediate cleanup of blood spills.
  • Prepare, organize, and efficiently utilize supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.
  • Monitor and assist patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
• Staff Related:
  • Participate in the recruitment process for new clinical staff.
  • Assist with clinical orientation and ongoing training for direct patient care personnel and facility staff.
  • Serve as a preceptor in direct patient care training, adhering to state guidelines and organizational standards.
  • Deliver and maintain ongoing competency evaluations/audits for other Patient Care Technicians (PCTs).
  • Collaborate with Clinical Manager and Education Coordinator to drive quality standards through education on ESRD regulatory/legal requirements and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI).
  • Train applicable staff on programs under nurse supervision and provide developmental support to clinical and facility staff.
• Education/Communication:
  • Partner with RN and IDT staff to educate personnel on facility water systems and environmental safety.
  • Ensure strong communication between Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, and staff regarding training and development initiatives.
  • Design and implement creative educational programs for PCT staff, including contests and team-based activities.
  • Collaborate in scheduling and implementing training programs.
  • Monitor patient care delivery through CQI activities and ensure incorporation of organizational policies and compliance practices.
• Maintenance/Technical:
  • Maintain environmental integrity and aesthetics; ensure all areas are safe and clean.
  • Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
  • Prepare for dialysis treatment, document as needed, and perform pretreatment machine alarm testing (e.g., Pressure Holding Test).
  • Initiate Solution Delivery System (SDS).
• Record Keeping:
  • Complete and document participation in CQI activities.
  • Enter treatment data into the designated clinical application accurately and timely.
  • Review treatment sheets for completeness, ensure nursing signatures, and address omitted entries.
  • Prepare initial patient charts for admission and compile paperwork for placement.
  • Prepare/print lab requisitions and ensure proper collection, labeling, and storage of lab specimens.
  • Coordinate lab specimen collection with appropriate couriers.
• Infection Control:
  • Assist with facility QAI infection control audits and act as a change agent for infection control practices.
  • Monitor staff and patient adherence to infection control practices under the direction of the Clinical Manager.
  • Reinforce new hire adherence to infection control policies and procedures.
  • Support ongoing staff and patient engagement in infection control practices (e.g., lobby days, staff meetings).
  • Reinforce infection control policies quarterly through visual media (e.g., posters, flyers).
  • Participate in education response to internal and external facility surveys.
  • Reinforce infection control education for patients and families as allowed by state law.
• Transitional Care Unit:
  • Follow newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional care.
  • Reinforce education and care-related matters for new patients as allowed by state law.
  • Liaise with appropriate staff to ensure all disciplines see the patient according to plan.
  • Assist in educating patients about home dialysis products, benefits, and setup.
  • Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the transitional care unit.
  • Assist patients in understanding treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis setup.
  • Coordinate transition to the patient’s chosen modality and assist with supply ordering/inventory for the TCU.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Valid PCT national certification (CCHT/CHT) or state-specific certification as defined by CMS.
• All appropriate state licensure, education, and training (if required).
• Demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, values, and customer service standards.
• Active participation in all preceptor training programs as established by education leadership.
• Completion of organization dialysis training program and CPR certification (continued employment dependent on this).

Qualifications

• At least five years of patient care experience in a hospital or related facility preferred.
• Ability to pass Ishihara’s Color Blindness test (reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities).

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Day-to-day work includes desk and computer tasks, interaction with patients, staff, and physicians.
• Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; may require travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings.
• Work environment is temperature-controlled with moderate noise levels; exposure to infectious/contagious diseases/materials possible.
• Regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients; assistance from equipment or coworkers may be provided.
• Frequent, prolonged periods of standing and bending over required.
• Occasional pushing/pulling of equipment (up to 15 lbs. of force).
• Frequent lifting/lowering of solutions (up to 30 lbs.); occasional lifting up to 40 lbs. (as high as 5 feet), with two-person assist or material assist devices available.