Registered Nurse - RN - Dialysis

Staff Registered Nurse

Functions as part of the hemodialysis health care team to ensure provision of quality patient care on a daily basis in accordance with FMS policies, procedures, and training. Supports the FMCNA's mission, vision, values, and customer service philosophy. Supports the FMCNA commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI Activities, including those related to patient satisfaction and actively participates in process improvement activities that enhance the likelihood that patients will achieve the FMCNA Quality Enhancement Goals (QEP). Adheres to all requirements of the FMCNA Compliance Program, and FMS patient care and administrative policies.

Principal duties and responsibilities include:

• Directing patient care technicians to deliver safe and effective chronic hemodialysis therapy.
• Delegating tasks to direct patient care staff.
• Assessing daily patient care needs and developing appropriate patient care assignments.
• Monitoring patient care staff for adherence to facility policy and procedures.
• Participating in staff training and orientation of new staff.
• Participating in all required staff meetings.
• Ensuring educational needs of patients and family regarding End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) are met.
• Providing ongoing education to patients regarding their renal disease, vascular access, and dialysis therapy.
• Accurately implementing treatment prescriptions.
• Assessing patients' response to hemodialysis treatment therapy and making appropriate adjustments.
• Identifying and communicating patient related issues.
• Initiating and monitoring hemodialysis treatment therapy.
• Taking appropriate intervention for changes in patient adequacy status and troubleshooting access flow issues.
• Providing, supervising, and monitoring hemodialysis access care.
• Implementing, administering, monitoring, and documenting patient's response to prescribed interdialytic transfusions.
• Ensuring accurate and complete documentation by patient care technicians.
• Reviewing, transcribing, and entering physician lab orders accurately.
• Ensuring appropriate preparation of lab requisitions.
• Ensuring correct labs tubes are utilized for prescribed lab specimens.
• Ensuring follow-through regarding missed labs and specimens.
• Ensuring all specimens are appropriately packaged.
• Reporting alert/panic and abnormal lab results to appropriate physician.
• Ensuring lab results are forwarded to physicians as requested.
• Enforcing all company approved policies and procedures.
• Maintaining overall shift operation in a safe, efficient, and effective manner.
• Acting as a resource for other staff members.
• Meeting with the Clinical Manager to discuss personnel and patient care status.
• Collaborating and communicating with physicians and other members of the healthcare team.
• Providing assistance to patients regarding prescription refills.
• Ensuring all physician orders are transcribed and entered into the Medical Information system.
• Overseeing all documentation of patient information.
• Maintaining facility drug list for all required stock medications.
• Maintaining competency with all emergency operational procedures.
• Ensuring verification and availability of adequate emergency equipment.
• Ensuring provision of appropriate vaccinations, immunizations, and annual Tuberculosis (TB) testing.
• Administering medications as prescribed.
• Administering PRN medications as prescribed.
• Maintaining appropriate recording of controlled substances.
• Assisting with the coordination of patient transportation if necessary.
• Ensuring a clean, safe, and sanitary environment in the dialysis facility treatment area.
• Ensuring competency in the operation of all dialysis-related equipment.
• Ensuring all patient stations, including machines and chairs, are clean and free of blood and placed appropriately.
• Ensuring all blood spills are immediately addressed.
• Ensuring all relevant data including physician orders, lab results, vital signs, and treatment parameters are documented appropriately.
• Ensuring all appropriate patient related treatment data is entered into the Medical Information System.
• Ensuring all FMCNA policies regarding patient admission, transfer, and discharge are appropriately implemented.
• Ensuring accuracy of Patient Care Technician documentation.
• Ensuring appropriate daily completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheets by all patient care staff.
• Ensuring that all appropriate procedures are followed regarding opening and closing procedures.
• Initiating, documenting, and completing ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
• Completing monthly nurses' progress note.
• Ensuring patient medical records are complete with appropriate information.
• Reviewing transplant status and following established procedure regarding appropriate action.
• Completing patient care plans for new patients within the initial 30 days or any patients deemed unstable requiring monthly patient care plans.
• Completing any long-term programs that are due.
• Completing initial and annual Nursing History and Assessment physical.
• Ensuring completion of Annual Standing Order Review with each physician as required.
• Performing additional duties as assigned.

Physical demands and working conditions include:

• The position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation. Equipment aids and/or coworkers may provide assistance. This position requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and the employee must be able to bend over. The employee may occasionally be required to move, with assistance, machines and equipment of up to 200 lbs., and may lift chemical and water solutions of up to 30 lbs. up as high as 5 feet.
• The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels. May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• Employees are required to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. Note that: Failing the Ishihara Test for Color Blindness does not preclude employment. The Company will consider whether reasonable accommodation can be made.

Supervision:

• None

Education and required credentials:

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
• Current appropriate state licensure.
• Must meet the practice requirements in the state in which he or she is employed.

Experience and skills:

• Minimum of one-year medical-surgical nursing experience preferred.
• Hemodialysis experience preferred.
• ICU experience preferred.
• Successfully complete a training course in the theory and practice of hemodialysis.
• Successfully complete CPR Certification.
• Employees have to meet the necessary requirements of Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment.
• Provide coverage at any or all area facilities as required by management.
• Icd-9 coding Training.
• Nurses Technical Training.
• Must meet appropriate state requirements (if any).

The rate of pay for this position will depend on the successful candidate's work location and qualifications, including relevant education, work experience, skills, and competencies. Hourly Rate: $42.00 - $60.00

Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.