Acute Inpatient Registered Nurse - RN

Purpose and Scope

The Inpatient RN provides direct patient care in accordance to company policies and procedures which includes FMCNA compliance programs and contracted hospitals' policies and procedures. Areas of practice are diverse, including, but not limited to, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, continuous renal replacement therapies, apheresis, and ultrafiltration. The Inpatient RN will partner with the hospital to provide quality care to the patient and deliver care that provides a positive patient experience.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Under limited supervision, applies considerable knowledge to perform a broad range of tasks which include but are not limited to direct patient care in multiple modalities not limited to hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, ultrafiltration, continuous renal replacement therapy, and Apheresis.
• Provides supervision and direction of Patient Care Technicians and clerical staff; provides direction and education to ICU staff for CRRT.
• Responsible for direct patient care of assigned patients in the Inpatient Renal Replacement and Apheresis Services setting and providing the appropriate treatment technique for assigned patients as prescribed in all modality procedures.
• Assesses patients' responses to treatment therapy making appropriate adjustments and modifications to the treatment plan as indicated by the appropriately credentialed physician.
• Delivers safe, effective care in a timely and efficient manner.
• Gives organized, concise shift reports for patients on assigned shifts.
• Responsible for the implementation, administration, monitoring, and documentation of patient's response to prescribed intradialytic transfusions.
• Collaborates and communicates with physicians and other members of the healthcare team to interpret, adjust, and coordinate daily patient care plan to ensure continuity of care.
• Accurately documents all treatment information in the individual patient record (ACES) and the hospital record, as needed.
• Cleans and disinfects dialysis machine surface, chair, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
• Conducts all tasks necessary for preparation for dialysis treatment and documents where appropriate.
• Performs all required pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing.
• Operates all related equipment appropriately and safely and provides minor trouble shooting when necessary.
• Understands, conducts, and documents appropriately Dialysis/Apheresis machine safety tests/alarm tests, equipment calibration, dialysate testing, machine safety tests, functional testing, and internal and external disinfection on all water & dialysis machines.
• Completes and documents ongoing participation in QAI activities.
• Participates in staff meetings as scheduled.
• Participates in staff training and orientation as assigned.
• Acts as a subject matter expert to hospital staff for dialysis related patient/equipment complications.
• Responsible for reporting all new or unusual incidents, information, complaints, or problems to the inpatient manager and other parties per the Adverse Event Report requirements.
• Review and comply with the Code of Business Conduct and all applicable company policies and procedures, local, state and federal laws and regulations.
• Assist with various projects as assigned by direct supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Employees are required to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment.
• The position requires travel between assigned hospitals and facilities; as well as travel to regional meetings/educational events.
• Position requires on call rotation including night, day, weekend, and holidays.
• There is potential for exposure to potentially infectious material and contagious diseases/material.
• Position provides direct patient care which regularly involves heavy lifting, moving of patient and/or equipment > 200lbs (with assistance); and may lift chemical and water solutions of up to 30lbs up as high as 5 feet.

Supervision

Provides supervision and direction of Patient Care Technicians (Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technicians (CCHT)) and clerical staff; provides direction and education to ICU staff for CRRT.

Education

• Current appropriate state licensure.
• Maintains acquired knowledge and remains current in advancements in nephrology, in particular, relative to inpatient care.
• Must meet the practice requirements in the state in which employed.
• Certification in Nephrology Nursing, Apheresis Nursing, or both is highly encouraged.

Experience and Required Skills

• One year RN experience required and required nursing skills.
• Minimum 6 months nephrology experience required before working independently with no other Dialysis RNs to provide dialysis and ultrafiltration services.
• Minimum 6 months Nephrology experience required before working independently with no other Apheresis RNs to provide Apheresis services.
• Demonstrated strong assessment skills related to the critically ill patient.
• ICU experience preferred but not required.
• Successful completion of training course in the theory and practice of care of the ESRD patient – Progressive Renal Education Preparation.
• BLS CPR Recognition.
• ACLS CPR Recognition preferred, but not required.
• Demonstrates organizational and time management skills, and a competency toward completing continuing and ongoing Renal/Nephrology education.
• Displays leadership skills and ability to direct and supervise others (such as PCTs, CCHTs, clerical staff).
• Successful completion of Nurses Technical Training.