Acute Inpatient Licensed Practical Nurse - LPN LVN Preceptor

Purpose and Scope

Functions as a member of the hemodialysis health care team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the direct supervision of a registered nurse in accordance with Fresenius Kidney Care (FKC) policies, procedures, and training and in compliance with regulations set forth by the corporation, state, and federal agencies. Assists with clinical orientation precepting and on-going training of all appropriate direct patient care personnel as well as the orientation of all facility staff to FKC.

Staff Related Responsibilities

• Participates in the recruitment process for new clinical staff.
• Assists with clinical orientation and on-going training of all appropriate direct patient care personnel.
• Functions as preceptor in direct patient care training programs.
• Delivers and maintains on-going competency evaluations/audits to ensure ongoing performance of other LPNs and PCTs.
• Collaborates with the Clinical Manager and Education Coordinator in driving FKC quality standards through education regarding CKD regulatory and legal requirements.
• Provides coaching and developmental support to applicable clinical and facility staff.
• Ensures a strong communication process between Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, direct patient care staff, and support staff.
• Monitors processes in the delivery of patient care through regular Quality Assurance Indicator (QAI) activities.

Patient Related Responsibilities

• Welcomes assigned patients and inquires as to their well-being since their last treatment.
• Evaluates vascular access for patency and performs vascular access cannulation.
• Obtains necessary pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weight.
• Performs administration of Heparin, as delegated or as allowed by state law.
• Responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines.
• Initiates dialysis treatment according to prescribed orders including blood flow (QB) and dialysate flow (QD).
• Evaluates intradialytic problems and provides intervention as prescribed by physician order.
• Monitors patients' response to dialysis therapy.
• Discontinues dialysis treatment according to established procedures.
• Performs and records pre and post dialysis evaluation, weight and vital signs.
• Calculates and enters individual patients' dialysis machine programming for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, Sodium (Na) modeling, and UF modeling.
• Records accurate and timely information regarding vital signs and treatment parameters onto the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet.
• Reports and documents any significant information and/or change in patient condition to the nurse supervisor.
• Obtains all prescribed laboratory testing and prepares specimens for collection.
• Assists in developing and following the teaching plan to educate the patient and family regarding end stage renal disease, dialysis therapy, diet, and medications.
• Administers medications including intravenous in accordance with physician orders and state nurse practice laws.
• Initiates basic CPR measures in the event of cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest.

Infection Control Specialization

• Assists with facility Quality Assurance Indicators (QAI) infection control audits.
• Acts as a change agent for infection control practices within clinic.
• Monitors staff and patient adherence to infection control practices.
• Reinforces new hire employee adherence to infection control Policies and Procedures.
• Participates in education response to internal and external facility surveys.

Maintenance and Technical Duties

• Maintains environmental integrity and aesthetics; ensures all areas are safe and clean.
• Cleans and disinfects dialysis machine surface, chair, equipment, and surrounding area between treatments.
• Performs all required pretreatment dialysis machine alarm testing including Pressure Holding (PHT).
• Initiates Solution Delivery System (SDS) system.
• Ensures that all blood spills are immediately cleaned with appropriate disinfectant.
• Prepares, organizes, and efficiently utilizes supplies and equipment to prevent wastage.

Record Keeping

• Completes and documents ongoing participation in Quality Assurance Indicators (QAI) activities.
• Enters all treatment data into the designated clinical application in an accurate and timely manner.
• Reviews treatment sheets for completeness and ensures nursing signatures are documented.
• Prepares initial patient chart for admission and compiles paperwork.
• Prepares lab requisitions for prescribed or stat lab specimens.
• Collects, labels, appropriately prepares and stores lab samples.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation. 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 position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community.