RN - Outpatient Dialysis Center

Clinical NurseFunctions as a clinician, educator and resource for patients within dialysis with a focus on in-center hemodialysis, and a knowledge of home therapies including; home hemodialysis & peritoneal dialysis, with a preferred knowledge of acute dialysis as well. As a member of the interdisciplinary team, contributes professional nursing knowledge and skills in the provision and management of care to patients through the application of the nursing process.Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) within 30 days - American Heart Association (AHA); Licensed Registered Professional Nurse (RN) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR); Education: College Diploma: NursingResponsibilitiesCLINICAL EXCELLENCE FOCUS: Promotes the use of evidence-based practice through the nursing process, protocols and procedures.Functions as a clinician, educator and resource for patients within their specialty of care and assist physicians with office procedures with the focus being on outpatient dialysis: in-center hemodialysis, knowledge of home hemodialysis, home peritoneal dialysis and available for coverage of acute dialysis services.Develops and become expert on in-center hemodialysis, with knowledge of home hemodialysis and peritoneal therapies.Assesses patient's status through interview, observation and physical assessment of actual problems and outcome.Responsible for the development and ongoing coordination of care for patients.Acts as a consultant both within the institution and to outside agencies or groups on issues related to dialysis.Consults with individuals, families, community agencies or colleagues from associated disciplines or with nursing.Uses appropriate interventions identified in the plan of care to achieve expected patient outcomes.Systematically evaluates and documents patient's progress toward expected outcomes/goals on an ongoing basis throughout the shift.Demonstrates professional accountability for own practice as evidenced through seeking resources and continuing self-development.Shares clinical knowledge through informal teaching and in response to the learning needs of others.Demonstrates a practical problem-solving approach to patient moving and handling issues (as applicable).Possesses knowledge and skills necessary to obtain adequate lab specimens for testing.Performs patient bedside lab testing and associated quality control in compliance with medical provider's orders and hospital lab procedures/policies.Documentation of service expectations.Provides supervision and direction of Patient Care Technicians and clerical staff.Demonstrates clinical competence in caring for a wide variety of complex patients through expert assessment skills, manual and technical skills, and critical thinking abilities.Ensures all safety checks and daily checklists are completed on all machines including the Main Reverse Osmosis Machine.Operates all related equipment appropriately and safely and provides minor trouble shooting when necessary; efficiently utilizes supplies to prevent waste.WORK ENVIRONMENT & CULTURE FOCUS: Coordinates the interdisciplinary care of the patient through collaboration with team members and utilizes additional resources when necessaryAnalyzes clinical situations in a systematic way and acts to obtain resources or correct problems to meet or exceed expected outcomes or patient needs.Demonstrates ownership and persistence to ensure problem is resolved in best way possible.Consistently prioritizes work based on changes in patient condition, changes in assignment and unanticipated interruptions.Identifies and utilizes team resources to solve identified problems or needs.Advocates with physicians on patient's behalf when necessary.Chooses an appropriate and meaningful communication style when interacting with others: gives and accepts constructive feedback to/from peers.As opportunities present, conducts bedside critical thinking exercises with nursing team members.PATIENT EDUCATION FOCUS: Assesses and chooses teaching strategies appropriate to the patient's/family's age specific needsAdapts teaching strategies based on patient's response, readiness to learn and level of comprehensionEducates, observes and documents on patients competency skillsTakes cultural, age-specific, gender, and developmental factors into consideration when teaching patients about procedures, illness, hospital experience, etc.Ensures patient safety by following policy/procedures and adhering to National Patient Safety GoalsDemonstrates a practical problem-solving approach to patient moving and handling issues (as applicable)Consults appropriate resources within the hospital to provide specialized educationPERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT FOCUS: Actively participates in data collection, analysis, problem solving and gives input on process improvements and patient satisfaction.Assures that the care provided is consistent with standards of care, evidence based practices, national patient safety goals, core measures and other quality initiatives undertaken by the unit/hospital.Works with interdisciplinary team in identifying opportunities for improvement in patient care and patient/family satisfaction.Actively promotes and achieves customer satisfaction (patient, family, departments, and physicians).Be aware of what is happening in clinic/department and the organization by attending clinic/department meetings, reading emails and regularly checking information on the organization's intranet site.Identifies practice problems on the unit.Implements changes in own clinical practice based on literature and unit process improvement outcomes.Works on assigned projects, data collection, audits as assigned.Understands, conducts, and documents appropriately dialysis machine safety tests/alarm tests, equipment calibration, dialysate testing, machine safety tests, functional testing, and internal and external disinfection on all water & dialysis machines and complies with the documentation/notification standards per policy.