Registered Nurse - RN - Dialysis

Home Therapies Dialysis Nurse

Functions as part of the Home Therapies dialysis health care team. Ensures provision of quality home patient care in accordance with company policies, procedures and training. Supports the company's commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI activities, including those related to patient satisfaction. Actively participates in process improvement activities that enhance the likelihood that patients will achieve the company's Quality Enhancement Goals (QEP).

Principal duties and responsibilities include:

• Providing safe and effective training and oversight of the delivery of home dialysis therapies to patients in compliance with standards outlined in the facility policy and procedure manuals, as well as regulations set forth by the Corporation, state and federal agencies.
• Rotating with other licensed staff to ensure adequate coverage.
• Participating in staff training and orientation of new staff as assigned.
• Participating in all required staff meetings as scheduled.
• Providing outstanding quality of patient care, as defined by company quality goals and standards.
• Submitting CQI information to Clinical Manager for completion of HT QAI Template for inclusion in facility CQI packet.
• Participating in all monthly CQI meetings.
• Assisting in the identification and evaluation of candidates for the company Home Therapies Program, including assessment of patients' home environment.
• Training home patients and their families/significant others on the safe and effective operation and maintenance (as appropriate), of all home therapies equipment through a formal Home Therapies training program.
• Educating patients and family regarding End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and the delivery of the company Kidney Options Program.
• Assesses patient and family readiness and ability to perform dialysis treatments at home and patients' home environment for suitability in the ongoing delivery of home dialysis therapy.
• Providing ongoing education to patients regarding their renal dialysis, peritoneal or vascular access and home dialysis therapy, and other related health conditions.
• Providing safe and effective delivery of home therapy support care to patients with ESRD.
• Assessing patients' response to home dialysis treatment therapy by following predetermined protocols.
• Communicating patient related issues to the physician as needed.
• Reporting adverse patient events at home or in the clinic as well as equipment and technology related problems to the Clinical/Home Therapies management and physician including the correct documentation of such events.
• Coordinating the transfer of patients to the hemodialysis clinic when needed and appropriate.
• Reviews, transcribes, and enters physician lab orders accurately into the Medical Information System.
• Following company policies and government regulations related to the collection, packaging, and delivery of lab specimens and reporting of results.
• Maintains competency with all emergency operational procedures, and initiate CPR and emergency measures in the event of a cardiac and/or respiratory arrest when the patient is in the medical office.
• Administers medications as prescribed including following algorithms (as appropriate), and document appropriate medical justification if indicated and maintain records on controlled substances as required by law.
• Maintains appropriate skill level in the operation of all home dialysis therapy-related equipment, including the ability to troubleshoot equipment problems with the patient via telephone.
• Directs patients in the preventative maintenance of home therapies equipment, including water systems and analyses as appropriate.
• Coordinates with the company products division on the delivery, operation and maintenance of all home therapy dialysis equipment.
• Admits all new patients and documents as needed.
• Documents all relevant data including physician orders, lab results, vital signs, and treatment parameters, and patient status and any treatment related data appropriately, and enters into Medical Information System.
• Participates in and ensures all company policies regarding patient admission, transfer, and discharge are appropriately implemented.
• Completes all monthly and annual reporting as required by company policies and government regulations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Physical demands and working conditions include:

• Day to day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff and physicians. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community. Travel to regional, Business Unit and Corporate meetings may be required.
• 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.

Supervision: None

Education and required credentials:

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing (R.N.)
• Current appropriate state licensure

Experience and skills:

• Minimum of one year medical-surgical nursing experience preferred, ICU experience preferred.
• Minimum of one year dialysis experience preferred, peritoneal experience preferred.
• Successfully complete a training course in the theory and practice of dialysis therapies.
• Competent at operating all Home Therapies related equipment.
• Successfully complete CPR certification with maintenance as required.
• Icd-9 coding Training.
• Demonstrated teaching abilities.

Acknowledgement:

I acknowledge that I have read and accepted this job description. I understand what is expected of me in this position, and I am able to perform the essential functions as outlined with or without reasonable accommodation. Furthermore, I understand that the duties and responsibilities listed in this job description are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. If I have any questions about duties and responsibilities not specified in this job description that I am asked to perform, I should discuss them with my immediate supervisor or my Human Resources representative.

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

* Paid one on one training and education provided.

* Empower, engage and train dialysis patients on peritoneal and home hemodialysis using state-of-the-art training programs and equipment.

* Primarily works in the clinic setting and conducts initial home visits with another staff member present.

* Position functions as an onsite Patient Educator and Case Manager for patients with various shifts and work hours.