Licensed Practical Nurse Preceptor - LPN

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 as well as the orientation of all facility staff to FKC.
• Functions as preceptor in direct patient care training programs to support the delivery of quality patient care.
• 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 all Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) regulatory and legal requirements and the practice of Continuous Quality Improvement.
• Provides coaching and developmental support to applicable clinical and facility staff.
• Partners with RN and IDT staff to educate the appropriate personnel regarding the integrity and safety of the facility water systems, as allowed by local regulations.
• Ensures a strong communication process between the Clinical Managers, Education Coordinators, direct patient care staff, and all support staff regarding appropriate training and organizational development programs and initiatives.
• 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 evaluation pre-treatment and 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 or as directed.
• Monitors patients' response to dialysis therapy.
• Discontinues dialysis treatment according to established procedures and evaluates the patient prior to discharge.
• Responsible for calculating and entry of individual patients' dialysis machine programming for Ultrafiltration (UF) goal, treatment time, Sodium (Na) modeling, and UF modeling as prescribed.
• 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, incidents, complaints, or problems 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 and responds to emergency situations related to dialysis treatment.

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 under the direction of the CM or designee.
• Reinforces new hire employee adherence to infection control Policies and Procedures.
• Supports ongoing staff and patient engagement on infection control practices.
• 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 according to facility policy.
• 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 according to facility policy.
• 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, ensures nursing signatures are documented, and ensures omitted entries are completed or corrected where appropriate.
• Prepares initial patient chart for admission and compiles paperwork for appropriate placement in chart.
• Prepares lab requisitions for prescribed or stat Lab specimens according to laboratory destination.
• Collects, labels, appropriately prepares and stores lab samples according to required laboratory specifications.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

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. 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. 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.